PM says Article 44 against temple necessary

BANGKOK, Feb 25 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, also leader of the National Council for Peace and Order, has said that his decision to invoke powerful Article 44 under the interim constitution, against controversial Wat Dhammakaya, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok’s neighbouring province of Pathum Thani, is necessary. Gen. Prayut said Friday night during his regular television programme that the stern order was not meant to intimidate monks, novices and followers now staying inside the temple in Pathum Thani’s Khlong Luang district. Gen. Prayut said the order was issued to maintain peace in the country and that he did not want to see people to stay above the law. His remarks were made after several thousands of police and army personnel have been surrounding the temple, searching for fugitive former abbot Phra Dhammajayofor the 10 consecutive day. The former abbot of Wat Dhammakaya is wanted for alleged money laundering. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said he was confident the United Nations would not intervene in the Thai government’s action in exercising Article 44 of the interim constitution against the temple. It is learned that followers of the temple are gathering names to petition the U.N. Gen. Prawit said government authorities are exercising the law and they need to search the temple if they suspect that the ex-abbot is still hiding there.