DPM Prawit calls on Dhammachayo to prove his innocence through legal means

[webfact]

DPM Prawit calls on Dhammachayo to prove his innocence through legal means

 

 

BANGKOK, 17 February 2017, (NNT) - The Deputy Prime Minister for Public Security has called on the former abbot of Wat Dhammakaya to surrender himself to the authorities and prove his innocence through legal means. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan affirmed that officials pursuing Dhammachayo, the former abbot of Wat Dhammakaya, have strictly adhered to regulations, saying it may take a while longer until authorities are able to apprehend the monk. 

He called on Dhammachayo to surrender himself to the authorities and defend his innocence through due process. The Deputy Prime Minister declined to comment on the whereabouts of the abbot. 

Meanwhile, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army General Chalermchai Sitthisart estimated that officials will spend another couple of days to determine for sure whether or not Dhammachayo is still in Wat Dhammakaya. He indicated that the situation inside the temple, which is now a controlled area, remains peaceful, while urging all sides to consider all the facts and respect the law.

 

-- nnt 2017-02-17

[smutcakes]

Why doesn't Prawit come clean on his Hawaii trip first? Practice what you preach.

[mtls2005]

Hmmm, Guilty until proven innocent.

 

Thai "justice" at it's best.

[SneekyPete]

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Hmmm, Guilty until proven innocent.

Yes. That is exactly what I thought.

 

The article cites the DPM as inviting the abbot to defend himself. However, it does make for a sensational/exaggerated news headline. As per the norm.

 

Many of us are familiar with the burden of law resting on the prosecution to prove the innocent party guilty. One can only hope that the same international standards of justice are upheld by the judges here. Note the key word - "hope"

[yellowboat]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

He called on Dhammachayo to surrender himself to the authorities and defend his innocence through due process.

Due process in Juntaland ?  Politically he is making them look foolish.  We cannot catch you, so please surrender yourself to military justice, which really does not have due process.   

[fxe1200]

According to ThaiPBS which interviewed the speaker of the monks, until today, no charges have been pressed against the former abbot and no warrant seen by the monks. The complete action is based on accusations and hearsay.

 

I am eagerly waiting for the next season of this charade.

 

[Charlie1]

Can the DPM prove that he's innocent of corruption? No? Well than...

[colinneil]

You cannot be serious man.  

 

[Cllingus]

This is starting to sound like a farce. The police would be best advised to arrest their suspects first and talk to media 2nd. This monk has had about a year to pack up his ipads, filth mags and loot, and break for the border. He could be anywhere by now , anywhere other than his temple that is.

[elgordo38]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

saying it may take a while longer until authorities are able to apprehend the monk. 

From your progress so far I would say a lot longer. Why not step outside and whistle for your dog if you have one your chances of him coming to you are much better than the "Return of the Monk" coming soon to a theater near you. This charade no doubt will add yet more bahts to the good monks coffers sad isn't it. 

[elgordo38]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

while urging all sides to consider all the facts and respect the law.

Your only hope is that you better hope that someone "respects" the law and turns him in and the odds on that are getting longer by the day. Time to sweeten the pot a bit more eventually you reach a greed tipping point and surely someone within the organization will see that he has been duped and ask for a little payback. Reward money in this case equals truth.