A former spokesman for Wat Phra Dhammakaya disciples yesterday pleaded not guilty to charges of instigating public disorder in connection with failed attempts to arrest former abbot Phra Dhammajayo last year.
Ong-art Thamnitha, 35, pleaded not guilty after the Criminal Court read out the charges against him. He was indicted under Section 116 of the Criminal Code for inciting unrest.
The court later granted him 400,000 baht bail on condition he seeks permission if he needs to travel overseas.
The charges were related to attempts by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to arrest the temple abbot, Phra Dhammajayo, whom officials believed to be hiding in the temple grounds in Pathum Thani's Khlong Luang district in December last year.
The former abbot and temple founder is wanted under several arrest warrants including one for alleged money-laundering in connection with the multi-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative embezzlement scandal.
According to prosecutors, Mr Ong-art told the disciples in a statement that the move to arrest the former abbot would lead to violence.
His comments, also posted on the temple disciples' Facebook page, came after authorities, led by the DSI, met on Dec 9 last year to discuss a raid on the temple compound to arrest on the former abbot.
Mr Ong-art also accused state officials of treating the temple unfairly by suspending broadcasts of the Dhammakaya Media Channel (DMC) on satellite TV.
According to prosecutors, the former spokesman misled the public into believing the authorities acted violently and illegally against the temple.
His words were intended to stir public unrest or prompt them to break the law, they said.
Mr Ong-art denies the charges. The court yesterday set Feb 26 for the pretrial examination of evidence and witness lists.
Authorities entered the temple grounds on several occasions in search of the former abbot. In March, the National Council for Peace and Order designated the temple and the surrounding area "controlled zones" to allow for a manhunt for Phra Dhammajayo. For three weeks, the military and police were involved in a standoff with the temple's disciples and monks. Authorities searched the controlled areas but could not find the elusive former abbot.
Phra Dhammajayo, who often claimed he was unwell and could not leave the temple compound, also has arrest warrants out for him for alleged forest encroachment.
