PATHUM THANI, Thailand—Thai police raided the headquarters temple of a controversial Buddhist temple sect on Thursday, seeking to detain its chief, a monk facing criminal charges including accepting $40 million in embezzled money.
The action followed several failed attempts to seize Phra Dhammajayo, head of the Dhammakaya sect. Police were previously thwarted when crowds of monks and followers blocked the way, risking a violent confrontation.
It was not clear if Dhammajayo, 72, who has not been seen in public for months, was inside the temple, known for its vast golden dome seeming to hover like a gilded UFO.
Thailand’s military government invoked an emergency order declaring the area around the temple a “restricted area” for the raid to stop people from entering.
About 3,000 police were deployed in surrounding the temple’s grounds.
Phra Pasura Dantamano, a Dhammakaya spokesman, said Dhammajayo was innocent and criticized the authorities for being heavy-handed. He estimated that 10,000 followers were in the temple, a figure that could not be confirmed.
