Dhammakaya Supporters Defy Order to Leave; DSI to Withdraw Forces

[bannork]

14 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

 

This seems to be an almost pathological response to recurring problems here; find someone to blame, assign a color/label (men in black, red-shirts, students, communists), then rinse.repeat.

 

Someone really needs to break the cycle, or just continue to give the "powers-that-be" the excuses they need to keep their boot on the throats of the citizens.

 

Up to you.

 

 

There was no assigning of  blame or colours to the red and yellow shirt followers. Both sides were/are willing and proud to be associated with their respective beliefs.This instance is different, Buddhism mixed up with power struggles.

[leeneeds]

At what odds would you give to surrender = 0%

at  "         "           "          "     "      "   capture     = 0%

                                                         abscond    = 78%

                                                         violence     = 32%

                                           death from stress  = - 60%

                                   denounce monk hood   =  -100%

                                  death from laughter       =  + 100 %

[Get Real]

1 hour ago, thai3 said:

cut the water and electric off, no food to go in either. They will be out in a week.

If you can have some kind of "young skin chamber", then you will probably have drillholes for your own water, diesel fuelled electric and a barn of diesel and a big freezer of meat together with some self sufficient rai:s of vegetebles. Think they would have thought about that already, if the case was like you believe. Waddaya think?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

What a bunch of "kitty kats"!!!

 

Now, if they only had a submarine or another aircraft carrier, they could have cleaned all this up presto quick!!! 

[mtls2005]

The various/sundry Thai "constitutions" have always guaranteed "freedom of religion"; and Rama 9 was a strong, outspoken supporter of this basic right.

 

So you have to take the bad, with good.

 

Once you favor one religion, and one sect, you've pretty much lost the moral high ground. 

 

Again, this is about wiping out a sect, or two, which some find objectionable. 

 

The "middle path" would be cool off, before the bullets fly.

[JAS21]

It has been said that those inside this money making scheme are either brain washed or Mafia ...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 minute ago, mtls2005 said:

Again, this is about wiping out a sect, or two, which some find objectionable. 

 

From my viewpoint, it's rather about trying (and failing) to arrest a group of criminals in robes who pretty clearly have been engaged in money laundering, perhaps embezzlement, probable mis-use of funds donated for legitimate purposes and who knows what else.

[Eligius]

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

From my viewpoint, it's rather about trying (and failing) to arrest a group of criminals in robes who pretty clearly have been engaged in money laundering, perhaps embezzlement, probable mis-use of funds donated for legitimate purposes and who knows what else.

The problem is that the Authorities are always so selective in which criminals they go after. If the criminals are of the wrong 'colour', then they will be fingered and at least a nominal attempt at getting them will be made.

 

I think the present situation just shows what a complete and utter mess Thailand has now become.

[Psimbo]

More farcical by the day- the police and DSI have become a (even bigger) laughing stock.

[Sunderland]

2 minutes ago, JAS21 said:

It has been said that those inside this money making scheme are either brain washed or Mafia ...

The former is without doubt and the latter is a strong possibility.

[mtls2005]

7 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

From my viewpoint, it's rather about trying (and failing) to arrest a group of criminals in robes who pretty clearly have been engaged in money laundering, perhaps embezzlement, probable mis-use of funds donated for legitimate purposes and who knows what else.

 

Yes, that's how it is has been portrayed to be; clearly that strategy has been effective, not only on you, but on some Thais, and many foreigners.

 

Again, follow the money, the bulk of which (95%) did not go to to Wat Dhammakaya (they returned the 5% they got), or don't.

 

If you think Thai Theravada Buddhism, in all its gnarly incarnations, is some sort of pristine, holy, noble endeavor then who am I to burst your bubble?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 19, 2017 by mtls2005

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

6 minutes ago, Eligius said:

The problem is that the Authorities are always so selective in which criminals they go after. If the criminals are of the wrong 'colour', then they will be fingered and at least a nominal attempt at getting them will be made.

 

I think the present situation just shows what a complete and utter mess Thailand has now become.

 

Certainly agree about that. Those in authority who are attempting to arrest the big spending monk probably have as many or more skeletons that could be dragged into public view if this was any kind of open society (which it isn't, of course).

 

But, that doesn't make the monk and his financial hijinks any more defensible. In fact, probably less, because he and his cohorts have been doing it under the color of religion, which supposedly has a higher calling than government, which in Thailand is about as low a calling as you can find.

 

 

Edited February 19, 2017 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[bannork]

2 minutes ago, Eligius said:

The problem is that the Authorities are always so selective in which criminals they go after. If the criminals are of the wrong 'colour', then they will be fingered and at least a nominal attempt at getting them will be made.

 

I think the present situation just shows what a complete and utter mess Thailand has now become.

It is well known Thaksin and Wat Thammakai are close so there was no way he would go after them whilst he or his parties were in power which has been most of the time since the turn of the millennium.

During The Democrats' short term in power they were facing the red shirt occupation of Ratchprasong. 

In the meantime the temple grew richer and more powerful all the time.

[Wilsonandson]

One side there are the protesters or temple supporters sat down cross legged chanting and on the other side a line of 2-3000 police.

One side is blasting out meditating musical chants the other is blasting out orders over a loud speaker.

Trench warfare Thai style!

[JAG]

1 hour ago, chowny77 said:

I agree with thai3. Take all steps to break their contact with the outside world. Cut the power, water and food supply. Set up an anti wi-fi system around the temple and they will be at each others throats within a few days. Anyone that steps out of the temple grounds should then be arrested and tried.

Tried for what? Believing in a particular sect? Being on the wrong side of a religious divide (in the states view)?

 

If they have hard evidence against this abbot chap, or any of his mates, then arrest them now or whenever you find them, and then put them on trial.  But all these threatening moves against the sects followers smack of attempting to close down a particular sect.

Edited February 19, 2017 by JAG

[bannork]

7 minutes ago, JAG said:

Tried for what? Believing in a particular sect? Being on the wrong side of a religious divide (in the states view)?

 

If they have hard evidence against this abbot chap, or any of his mates, then arrest them now or whenever you find them, and then put them on trial.  But all these threatening moves against the sects followers smack of attempting to close down a particular sect.

If you've been following the news they have been trying to arrest him for months.

[JAG]

1 minute ago, bannork said:

If you've been following the news they have been trying to arrest him for months.

I have, although not exactly hanging on every word. They don't seem to have been trying very hard. They do seem more interested in closing down his temple.

[jerojero]

Big news, day after day. 3500 troops. Now withdraw without anything to show for it? Big face loss now!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

17 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

Again, follow the money, the bulk of which (95%) did not go to to Wat Dhammakaya (they returned the 5% they got), or don't.

 

I'm not sure how you're getting those kinds of numbers.

 

The Nation has an article in June 2016 saying the temple had paid back about 705 million and issued advanced checks for another 350 million (not sure what exactly "advanced checks" mean). But that's together equal to about 1.05 billion baht.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/aec/30288778

 

Yet, that article and a Nov. 2016 Khaosod English article and an AP article all say the temple received 1.4 billion baht from the now jailed former head of the credit union. And the Nation article from 2016 says the credit union was going to be seeking repayment for the remaining difference between the two amounts.

 

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/courts/2016/11/24/renewed-bid-capture-dhammakaya-abbot-weighed/

 

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/a4f3bc70d65642a9a18d3b4802095b02/police-poised-arrest-popular-monk-dramatic-showdown

 

As for the total size/amount of the broader embezzlement case involving the credit union, the Post and the Nation seem to refer to it as a total 12 billion baht case.

 

That doesn't sound like "they returned the 5% they got." Nor does it sound like the temple's share of the overall embezzlement was only 5%, but rather, more like almost 12%.

 

Quote

 

Dhammachayo, the leader of influential Buddhist sect, was ordered brought to court to face a count of money laundering and other charges relating 1.4 billion baht he received from the former head of the credit union now serving a 16-year prison term for massive embezzlement.

 

Prosecutors said Wednesday they had instructed the Department of Special Investigation, or DSI, to capture Dhammachayo before the statute of limitations for the 2009 crime expire in 2024. Attempts to bring the abbot to justice in June were abandoned when he ensconced himself inside his order’s massive campus in northern metro Bangkok, defended by followers who said they would die to protect him.

 

Dhammachayo and and his acolyte Sasithorn Chokeprasit are accused of receiving 27 checks from Sapachai and other two others involved in the Klong Chan Credit Union embezzlement scandal. His aides have insisted the monk was not aware the money was tainted.

 

 

 

[Wilsonandson]

Latest news from twitter:-
A squadron of police women are at the temple and preparing to storm the temple tomorrow morning 20th February.

I could show you a screenshot but it's in Thai language. Here is the photo and the tweet.

[Wilsonandson]

In English and in Thai the reason for the raid is in plain view. Not that anyone's paying attention to it.

[KhaoNiaw]

The junta is smart enough to realize the last thing they need is pictures of violent clashes with monks being broadcast around the country, whatever sect or temple they follow. It could act as a call to arms for all kinds of elements that they don't want to stir up.

 

The other problem is that the police here are not really trained to deal with any kind of demonstration, violent or peaceful, and backing off is probably best if they can't work out a real plan. I don't think sending in the women officers is going to work but maybe the monks will just melt at the sight.  

[webfact]

Worshippers defy Thai police at Buddhist temple

By Cod Satrusayang

 

Buddhist monks speak with a policeman at the gate of Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province, Thailand February 19, 2017. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thousands of followers of Thailand's biggest Buddhist temple Buddhist temple defied orders to leave its grounds on Sunday to enable police to seek out their former abbot, who is accused of money laundering.

 

Police ordered worshippers to leave Dhammakaya temple by 3 p.m. (0800 GMT) so that they could intensify the search for former abbot Phra Dhammachayo.

 

But his followers, who want the authorities to suspend their siege, flocked into the 1,000 acre compound. Many held rudimentary placards in English and Thai calling for police to stand down and appealing for international attention and help.

 

Thailand's ruling junta used a special emergency law on Thursday to let police explore the Dhammakaya Temple after months of failing to get it to hand over Phra Dhammachayo.

 

"We have cooperated with the government every step of the way but this is one step too far," temple spokesman and senior monk Phra Pasura Dantamano told Reuters.

 

"We're asking authorities to suspend the emergency law and lift their siege. Our supplies are low and we have been without power or water for three days."

 

Thailand's Department of Special Investigations ordered all non-residents to leave the premises because temple activities were hindering police in their search. Monks who live in the temple were told to gather separately.

 

The department also ordered 14 temple elders to give themselves up to police or face arrest.

 

The temple is unusual in defying the military government. Opposition from political parties and activists has largely been silenced since a coup in 2014.

 

Phra Dhammachayo faces charges of conspiracy to launder money and receive stolen goods, as well as taking over land unlawfully to build meditation centres. His aides dismiss the accusations as politically motivated.

 

Although the temple has no overt political affiliation, the abbot is widely believed to have had links with populist former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in 2006. A government led by Thaksin's sister was toppled by the army in 2014.

 

The Dhammakaya Temple's brasher approach to winning adherents jars on conservatives, who say it exploits its followers and uses religion to make money. The temple says it is as committed to Buddhist values as anyone else.

 

(Editing by Matthew Tostevin/Ruth Pitchford)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-20

[brommers]

It feels like watching happenings in a parallel universe! Thousands of police and army being outflanked at every end and turn by a mob of saffron robed thugs is a fascinating display of how canny streetwise thinking can easily beat and humble the might of the highly trained and armed state machine.

 

But wait, the state apparatus is not full resourced right now because they do not yet have their submarine. As soon as it arrives we will all be able to breathe a sigh of relief as it sweeps up the klong and brings these pseudo religious upstarts to their senses. 

 

Breathes a sigh of relief?

[mtls2005]

One view...and some background on the current state of the Sangha.

 

 

Restoring Thailand’s spiritual realm

 

In fact, Dhammakaya might even be facing persecution. Phra Somdej Maha Ratcha Mungkalajarn has lost his candidacy to the supreme position, and the NCPO has been emboldened by public feedback on the new Sangha Raja. The junta is now stepping up its attempt to ‘patronise and purify’ the Sangha by ordering the siege and search of the Dhammakaya temple to arrest Phra Thammachaiyo, who has been wanted for involvement in a high-profile embezzlement case. So far, several attempts by police and the Department of Special Investigation have ended in failure. This is the first time that the NCPO has ordered the army to lead the search and successfully breach the temple’s grounds.

 

http://www.newmandala.org/restoring-thailands-spiritual-realm/

[TheFishman1]

Totally a Joke TIT

[soalbundy]

No high pressure water hoses then

[bangkok101]

the silly bunch couldn't clear out the airport protesters occupying suvarnabhumi airport for 7 or 8 days...seems like the mighty thai military wussed out again,...pathetic, laughable, totally inept...

[louse1953]

15 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

 

Throw in the Krabi coal plant protesters and the Junta is definitely on their back-foot.

 

Of course, this is when they usually do something very stupid, like murder their own citizens, so let's hope someone has Prayut and Prawit on a very short leash.

Got proof of that?

[louse1953]

14 hours ago, chowny77 said:

I agree with thai3. Take all steps to break their contact with the outside world. Cut the power, water and food supply. Set up an anti wi-fi system around the temple and they will be at each others throats within a few days. Anyone that steps out of the temple grounds should then be arrested and tried.

Should have been done months ago.