BANGKOK (AP) – Thai police entered a sprawling Buddhist temple complex Thursday, wading through thousands of devotees camped on the grounds, to arrest a popular abbot accused of embezzling $40 million.
The operation at Wat Dhammakaya, a monastery north of Bangkok known as one of the wealthiest in Thailand, began at 5 a.m. and was broadcast live on TV in a dramatic climax to a months-old standoff.
Abbot Phra Dhammachyao, accused of money laundering and links to embezzling 1.4 billion baht ($40 million) from a now defunct credit union, has brazenly rejected police demands to report for questioning. He has barricaded himself inside his temple, ignoring three summonses and an arrest warrant. He has avoided arrest for over two months, claiming he was too ill to report for questioning.
It is the latest in several scandals in recent years that have cast a shadow over the Buddhist clergy in Thailand.
Nine hours after the raid began, police told reporters that search and arrest warrants had been served but they were still looking for the abbot.