Police Issue Summons in Temple Entry Blockade Case
Police in Khon Kaen issued five summons in a temple trespassing case involving a woman named Pa Da and four vehicle owners connected to an August 14 incident at Pa Adulyaram temple.
Khon Kaen police have issued five summons in the Pa Adulyaram temple trespassing case, including one for a woman known as Pa Da and four vehicle owners. Police say the trespassing charge is separate from an ongoing land-ownership dispute, and the temple has been reported as a suspicious location on three previous occasions.
On August 14, Deputy Inspector Yoswatchai Kaewsuebnit, superintendent of Muang Khon Kaen police station, reported progress in investigating the alleged trespassing by a group of men. Analysis of CCTV footage and witness evidence identified four vehicles connected to the incident: two vans, one cement mixer truck, and one material-carrying pickup truck. Police have questioned the vehicle owners as witnesses. The cement mixer driver stated he was ordered by a shop manager to deliver cement in the area, believing it was to facilitate traffic flow. Police also invited the person who ordered the cement to provide information and establish connections to the case.
Police have now issued five summons total: one for Pa Da and four for the vehicle owners. Pa Da's summon was sent to her registered address in Bangkok, but police have received no response. CCTV footage and witness testimony confirm Pa Da was present at the scene and must be questioned to establish the facts and determine her involvement.
Regarding one van that travelled from Bangkok, police are coordinating with Bangkok Metropolitan Police to check for links to other cases in the Phra Khanong precinct. On the trespassing charge itself, police clarified that the key issue is the right of possession. If outsiders interfere with a landowner's right of possession, this may constitute trespassing regardless of whether a land-ownership dispute remains unresolved.
Police also addressed claims that the temple may be a suspicious location. They stated that the temple had been inspected approximately three times following complaints, with urine tests conducted on monks and temple residents. Most tests showed no narcotics, with only one temple boy testing positive in one instance, leading to legal proceedings. Police found insufficient CCTV coverage—cameras were present only at the abbot's quarters, with none at the entrance or surrounding areas. Police officers collected funds to donate cameras to the temple for additional security.
Police confirmed they will expedite questioning of all witnesses and those involved to establish facts and proceed with legal action.
