Police believe fugitive monk still hiding in Thailand

BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) - Police have set up a special task force unit to hunt for a fugitive former abbot of a Buddhist temple Phra Dhammajayo while they believe the monk is still hiding in Thailand. Police Lieutenant General Chanthep Saesawet, chief of Provincial Police Region 1 said police would coordinate with concerned authorities in neighbouring countries along with border immigration officials to look out for the monk. Meanwhile, chief of police Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Police Colonel Paisit Wongmuang said it was believed that Phra Dhammajayo had escaped from his temple in Pathum Thani between February 16 – 18 after authorities found that part of the temple wall was broken. The monk was probably assisted by some of his followers during the escape and is now likely to stay with his close connection network. (TNA)