Soldiers obstruct a peaceful gathering of Ven. Dhammajayo's supporters at the Damrong Dhamma Center in Sisaket Province on May 3, 2016.
Soldiers obstructed a peaceful gathering of supporters pleading for justice in the case against Ven. Dhammajayo last week.
On May 3rd 2016, over 200 of Ven. Dhammajayo’s supporters went to Damrong Dhamma Center in Sisaket Province to submit a plea for justice letter. During this peaceful event, a group of soldiers came to threaten the crowd of supporters. However, without retaliation, the supporters continued in their efforts to submit the open letter plea for justice at the Damrong Dhamma Center.
Notably, many groups of Ven. Dhammajayo’s supporters submitted their plea for justice and protection against DSI’s allegations. DSI has issued a summons for Ven. Dhammajayo, which may lead to an arrest warrant on the upcoming date, May 16.
Both the government officials and officers have cooperated in each province. Sisaket Province was the only exception. Soldiers arrived and spoke to the supporters in a threatening manner. However, with an unfaltering heart full of faith for Ven. Dhammajayo, the supporters stuck to their conviction and submitted their plea for justice to government sectors, including Sisaket province’s Damrong Dhamma Center, the Office of Buddhism, and City Hall. Everyone welcomed the supporters with greetings and smiles… except for the soldiers who were very keen to just intimidate people.
This was not the only instance that the military tried to interfere and repress actions of the free citizens in Thailand. It has been, and continues to be, a chronic occurrence ever since the military took over the governance of the country. See what the Chicago Tribune has to say about this in their article: "Military repression halts progress: So much for paradise in Thailand"