The abbot of a forest monastery in Sukhothai province was arrested today on charges of forest encroachment and operating an illegal saw mill.

Armed with an arrest warrant issued by Sawankhalok provincial court, a combined force of army, police, forestry and religious affairs officials raided the Intharathit monastery in Tambon Thung Saliam, Thung Saliam district.

The officials then served the arrest warrant on Phra Anuphan Saksua, the abbot of the monastery and notified of the charges against him.

After the arrest of the abbot, the officials closed down the monastery before all the buildings, including the monastery, are to be demolished.

Police found several cars in a garage in the monastery. Police alleged that the abbot frequently travelled to Chiang Rai, Lampang and Tak provinces.

An abbot of a monastery was arrested for forest encroachment - Thai PBS English News