Some 3,500 troops, police surround Dhammakaya Temple

[MaxLee]

In the end nothing will happen, nobody in influential power will ever see a day in jail, and arrangements of saving faced have been pre-determined in advance

[tomacht8]

I miss an update on, how much of the misappropriated money, over 12 billion baht, has been secured so far.
The whole news revolves only around the monk, but where is all the money now and who has it?
This is a much more interesting question.

Edited February 16, 2017 by tomacht8

[colinneil]

Negotiations c..p if they got a correct warrant, they do not require  anybodys  permission.

Get in NOW, you load of big girls blouses. Man up show them that you have got some balls.

Edited February 16, 2017 by colinneil

[djayz]

3,500 personnel to catch 1 monk! 

What is he, Super Monk? 

[Orac]

 

Hope they have some decent firepower to deal with the Deathstar that looks to be ready for the escape in the background there.

[sujoop]

9 minutes ago, djayz said:

3,500 personnel to catch 1 monk! 

What is he, Super Monk? 

The General has been wise to approach this potential tinder-keg with caution:

 

*'Thaksin sought to align the Supreme Sangha Council with the Dhammakaya during his time in office. In return, the sect's head monk extolled Thaksin as an ideal Buddhist whose billions could be explained by the merit he accumulated in past lives'
https://www.stratfor.com/sample/analysis/thailand-buddhist-feud-threatens-fragile-peace

 

*'Since Somdej Chuang is close to Phra Dhammachayo, who is closely linked to a certain political party, Thai Buddhism will likely become more and more politicised under his leadership. Hence, Somdej Chuang’s ascension to the post of Supreme Patriarch would likely do much to upset the country’s religious and political equilibrium'
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Next-Supreme-Patriarch-must-be-free-of-scandal-pol-30277321.html
 

*The political turmoil has completely changed the nature of politics and the religious landscape of Thailand for good. Followers of Phra Dhammakaya Temple and Thaksin believe that the alliance between the two serves their best interests.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/27/opinion/opinion_30014752.php
 

For Thaksin:
http://2bangkok.com/for-thaksin.html

Thaksin’s Temple: Dhammakaya
http://2bangkok.com/thaksins-temple-dhammakaya.html

 

(now, combined with lil sis about to be docked Bt36 billion,  could spark a response...)

[jak2002003]

'They say it exploits its followers and uses religion to make money'.

 

I thought that was what all the temples were doing?  They never seen short of cash.. new buildings, technology, trucks, god, etc

[webfact]

Thai authorities enter Buddhist temple to search for wanted monk - police

REUTERS

 

Thai police block Buddhist monks at the gate of Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, Thailand February 16, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai security forces entered the country's biggest Buddhist temple on Thursday to search for an influential monk wanted for money laundering, police said.

 

"Right now authorities have already started a search operation seeking the individual under arrest warrants," Paisit Wongmuang, chief of the Department of Special Investigation, told reporters in front of a temple gate after meeting temple representatives.

 

(Reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Pracha Hariraksapitak; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-16

[transam]

3000 troops..........................Hmmmm, should have called.....

 

 

[tukkytuktuk]

Some photos from twitter.

[trogers]

I wonder if the UFO has transporter technology...

[webfact]

Dhammakaya Temple allows search now: DSI chief
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- The Dhammakaya Temple has allowed the authorities to go inside to conduct a search for elusive Phra Dhammachayo, Department of Special Investigation chief Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang said.

 

He said the authorities started the search from Gate 8 at 11:30 am.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30306468

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-02-16

[webfact]

Door to door search at Dhammakaya temple begins

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials, police and soldiers  began door to door search in the 2,000-rai compound of the Dhammakaya temple in the bud to take its stubborn former abbot Phra Dhammachayo for prosecution.

 

But so far there was no traces that could confirm the former abbot is still in the temple or has escaped long ago before the arrival of the 3,000-men strong force.

 

DSI chief Pol Col Phaisit Wongmuang said the search began 11 am after authorities could reach agreement with the temple officials and with the producing of court’s search warrant that empower authorities to conduct both day and night search.

 

He said the authorities still could not yet ascertain that the former abbot is still in the temple although they began the search from the temple’s Gate 8.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/door-door-search-dhammakaya-temple-begins/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-02-16

[Somtamnication]

Jeez, what took so <deleted> long?

[MaxLee]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Door to door search at Dhammakaya temple begins

 

10 hundred light years too late 

[maxpower]

[AGareth2]

And they will find?

Nothing

The bird has flown!

[Artisi]

Of course all power and water into the complex has been terminated or will that take another couple months  or more to organise and implement. 

[tukkytuktuk]

Some photos of the search inside the temple grounds this past hour from twitter. The minivans are carrying DSI investigators.

[Lannig]

So much Thai taxpayer's money wasted there.

He's long gone,

[MaxLee]

2 minutes ago, Lannig said:

So much Thai taxpayer's money wasted there.

He's long gone,

Just another publicity stunt for the World media,....... SNOOZE 

[scorecard]

Quote from PBS report:

 

"DSI officials are negotiating with the temple officials for permission to search suspected target where Phra Dhammachayo was believed to be staying.

....

.....

He said the court has permitted the officials to search the temple both day and night and for several days."

Which is correct?

Given the past history, not much point in a situation where the authorities have to ask permission from temple folks to enter certain areas. And a massive waste of resources.

Or is this just more very poor reporting?

[bkkcanuck8]

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Negotiations c..p if they got a correct warrant, they do not require  anybodys  permission.

Get in NOW, you load of big girls blouses. Man up show them that you have got some balls.

 

They don't need anyone's permission but with 2,000 or 3,000 storming a compound.....  you have the risk something could go horribly wrong.  Ruby Ridge was much smaller, yet it ended in disaster.  Now that it is surrounded and action is being taken, there is no rush needed if negotiation from a position of strength will accomplish the outcome that is necessary (the Monk in irons).

[KCPhuket]

Very very strange place.

[scorecard]

8 minutes ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

 

They don't need anyone's permission but with 2,000 or 3,000 storming a compound.....  you have the risk something could go horribly wrong.  Ruby Ridge was much smaller, yet it ended in disaster.  Now that it is surrounded and action is being taken, there is no rush needed if negotiation from a position of strength will accomplish the outcome that is necessary (the Monk in irons).

Agree, no need to try to search the whole place in 1 day.

 

From other reports this complex has many nooks and carnies, better to make a plan for each section and do it thoroughly. 

 

My guess (just a guess); he's not there, he's moved on weeks ago. If true it brings at least 2 questions:

 

- If he moved on, why didn't the folks in his new location advise the authorities, why would they rise being charged with harboring a person sought under a warrant?  Or perhaps they might be frightened to do that. 

 

- Why didn't the authorities regularly ask for a specific answer whether he was there or not, and get tough if no answer.

 

- Why didn't the authorities regularly ask for an acceptable medical report of his current health condition? 

[BrainLife]

4 hours ago, AGareth2 said:

heard about this on BBC World News

should be interesting how this develops

in the world press

BBC a reliable source, just like CNN.

[elgordo38]

I hope they take prisoners. The gas station across the road has a "whistle" attendant and he really blows that sucker. I just hope that there is nothing similar close to the temple or there could be a premature invasion. With 3500 troops and coppers it almost looks like an invasion. Like the castles of old will it stand or fall is there gun ports in the outer walls. There has to be something there to warrant this manpower. The shear weight of numbers will no doubt do this poor monk in. Cancel the trial. 

[realenglish1]

This looks like a bit of overkill with 3,500 troops

 

I cannot think that this abott is that powerful but good luck

I think he is out of the country already

[elgordo38]

2 minutes ago, realenglish1 said:

This looks like a bit of overkill with 3,500 troops

 

I cannot think that this abott is that powerful but good luck

I think he is out of the country already

I just hope they have TV coverage of the "great" attack wherever he is. Break out the Chang and popcorn and put your feet up and have a laugh. Its like drilling for water and coming up empty. I hope the international press are covering this story. 3500 troop almost looks like they are on a war footing. 

[bkkcanuck8]

7 minutes ago, realenglish1 said:

This looks like a bit of overkill with 3,500 troops

 

I cannot think that this abott is that powerful but good luck

I think he is out of the country already

Use of "equivalent power" (militarily speaking) tends to end with a longer standoff and more casualties.  They were effectively pushed back by the number of passive or active resistors that previously blocked their attempts to locate him, best to go in with overwhelming power and do a search of the place and a total evacuation at the same time as to make it harder for him to jump from one nook and cranny to another through potentially secret routes.... or be blocked again by a mass of resistance which would only lead to embarrassment....    If they cannot find him there, they should turn it into temporary barracks for the military until he is arrested....