Thai monks turn spin doctors, defend abbot

The temple’s abbot Phra Dhammachayo, venerated as a saint among his followers, is wanted by police for allegedly accepting embezzled funds worth 1.2 billion baht ($ 33 million) from the owner of a cooperative bank who was jailed in March. The temple has denied its abbot conspired to launder the money, calling the charges “groundless and unconscionable”. The temple claims the 72-yearold is too sick to meet with officers, and police do not want to confront him on the temple grounds, fearing clashes with devotees. 

Monks and temple staff have been vigorously live-tweeting the drama, churning out detailed press releases and fact sheets, and making use of their slick 24-hour TV channel to bat back the allegations against their revered abbot. Dhammakaya is also regarded as the wealthiest in Buddhist-majority Thailand, thanks in part to tech-savvy devotees who have cultivated a fervent following, raised tens of millions of dollars and set up outposts in dozens of countries across the globe.