Thai king strips fugitive Buddhist monk of his rank as followers continue to defy military government
Phra Dhammachayo is accused of money laundering but has not turned himself in and police say his followers have hampered the search
The symbolic step comes more than two weeks after police surrounded the scandal-hit Dhammakaya temple and began searching for Phra Dhammachayo, who is accused of money laundering.
He does not deserve to hold his monastic rank any longer
The stand-off at the temple represents one of the biggest challenges to the authority of Thailand’s junta since it took power in 2014. The former abbot has not turned himself in and police say his followers have hampered the search.
A document published in the Royal Gazette said King Maha Vajiralongkorn had agreed to the government’s request to demote Phra Dhammachayo because he had not turned himself in and had fled from the charges against him.
“Thus he does not deserve to hold his monastic rank any longer,” the document said.
The measure does not mean Phra Dhammachayo has been defrocked as neither the king nor the government has the power to do that. Only a religious council can take such a step.