Dhammakaya abbot surrenders to police
BANGKOK (AFP): Watched by hundreds of bemused tourists and surrounded by a cordon of riot police, Phra Dhamachayo, the controversial abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, surrendered to police today. The surrender ended a two-day stand-off between hundreds of police and thousands of his devotees, during which he defied calls by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and police to give himself up. With a convoy of 12 buses full of supporters, he traveled from Wat Phra Dhammakaya to Wat Chanasoungkram in the budget backpacker area of Khao San Road, where he turned himself in to police and was placed under arrest. Phra Dhamachayo is charged with distorting Buddhist teaching, embezzlement and amassing millions of dollars.
