The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has rejected Wat Phra Dhammakaya's claim that the authorities' blockade contributed to the death of a female disciple Wednesday.

The DSI said that at 1.51pm on Wednesday, its officials were asked by relatives to bring in an ambulance to pick up Pattana Chiangrang, 48, who suffered an asthma attack in a flat inside the temple, said department chief Paisit Wongmuang.

The officials called an ambulance and entered the premises, escorted by Phra Maha Nopporn Poonyachayo, assistant director of the temple's communications office.

At the flat, adjacent to Klong Luang and near Gate 14, the officials were told the woman, from Chiang Rai, was dead. Doctors who performed an on-the-spot forensic check confirmed she had been dead for at least five hours before the officials arrived, according to Pol Col Paisit.

Pol Lt Col Korrawat Panprapakorn, director of the DSI's Bureau of Regional Operation Centre, said the ambulance arrived at the flat in 10 minutes, contrary to the claim on Facebook by Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso, the temple's communications head, that it took more than an hour for help to arrive.

Phra Sanitwong said on Facebook a rescue vehicle spent too much time driving around trying to find Gate 7, the only channel the authorities allowed for entry to the temple. By the time it arrived to take the woman, it was too late.

Pol Lt Col Korrawat said officials were checking reports that the dead woman was still texting her friend for help on her Line application at 11am.

If the doctors were right about her having been dead for at least five hours before the ambulance arrived at 1pm, she must have been dead when the texts were sent, he said.

Also Wednesday, chief of the police with jurisdiction over Wat Phra Dhammakaya was removed from his post, the second high-ranking official with direct responsibility in the temple controversy to be sidelined in less than a week.

Pol Col Khemmapat Photthipitak was ordered by the Provincial Police Region 1 to be transferred to serve at the region's headquarters.

He also led local police in maintaining peace and order around the temple whose monks and disciples have resisted the authorities in their efforts to gain full access to the temple to bring its former abbot, Phra Dhammajayo, believed to be still hiding in the vast temple grounds, to face charges of embezzlement.

Pol Col Khemmapat has been replaced as head of Klong Luang police by Pol Col Samat Srisiriwiboonchai, deputy commander of Pathum Thani police in Pathum Thani.

Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman Krissana Wattanacharoen said the transfer was approved for suitability reasons.

Pol Col Krissana declined to comment on media reports that Pol Col Khemmapat was one of the temple's disciples.

However, he said Pol Col Khemmapat's transfer will not undermine the authorities' search at the temple.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by Bangkok Post

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