BANGKOK, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Thai police raided the controversial War Dhammakaya on Thursday in search for the temple's former abbot Phra Dhammajayo, who was charged with money laundering.
Police and officials from Thailand's Department of Special Investigation (DSI) met no resistance from monks or followers when they entered Gate 1 of the temple, which leads to the place where the wanted monk stays.
Police and DSI were seen leaving the temple without Phra Dhammajayo, Thai media reported.
The search followed earlier negotiations after thousands of troops and police surrounded the temple compound early in the morning, according to the Bangkok Post.
The operation came hours after Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha used article 44 of the 2014 interim constitution to impose control over the vast temple complex.
"The order has been thought through to solve this complicated case," said government spokeperson Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Thursday. "It is needed because the defendants last time did not cooperate with authorities and stopped officers from entering concerned areas."
Phra Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, the temple's head of public relations, told reporters that he had not seen Phra Dhammajayo for eight months.
Phra Dhammajayo, 72, is wanted on several arrest warrants for alleged laundering money, receiving stolen goods, as well as taking over land unlawfully to build meditation centers in Loei, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phangnga provinces.
