Monks up in arms over possible Thai temple raid

Defiant Buddhist monks stood up to a row of soldiers, with a wire barricade separating the two groups, in Pathum Thani province yesterday. Talks yesterday between officials and the Dhammakaya temple's senior monks broke down, raising the possibility
PHOTO: REUTERS

Defiant Buddhist monks stood up to a row of soldiers, with a wire barricade separating the two groups, in Pathum Thani province yesterday. Talks yesterday between officials and the Dhammakaya temple's senior monks broke down, raising the possibility of a "full scale" raid on the monastery. Thailand's department of special investigation wants to arrest the temple's former abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, who is wanted for alleged money laundering and accepting stolen assets. He is believed to be hiding in the temple's vast grounds.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 24, 2017, with the headline Monks up in arms over possible Thai temple raid. Subscribe