Previous attempts saw thousands of devotees of the breakaway order turn out to defend the septuagenarian monk who is believed to be holed up inside. The monk, Phra Dhammachayo, is accused of accepting embezzled funds worth 1.2 billion baht (US$33 million) from the owner of a cooperative bank who was jailed. The order invoked special powers, known as Section 44, putting the area under military control. The temple is also accused of having close links to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup. In the last 30 years the Dhammakaya temple has grown exponentially, raising tens of millions of dollars.

Source: Viet Nam News February 16, 2017 03:38 UTC