His Majesty strips fugitive monk of patriarch rank
THAILAND: His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun has signed a royal command to strip Phra Dhammachayo of a senior monk rank, equivalent to a patriarch.
The royal command, which was signed on Saturday, was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday.
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The command stripped Phra Dhammachayo of the rank of Thep Yarn Mahamunee on grounds that he is wanted on a court warrant for alleged money laundering and embezzlement.
The royal command said Phra Dhammachayo also faced several charges, but refused to surrender. As a result, the government proposed that His Majesty remove the former Dhammakaya abbot of his rank.
— The Nation
