Temple bans reporters from 3 TV stations

The embattled Wat Phra Dhammakaya has banned news reporters from three television stations from entering the temple compound, without giving a reason why.

The ban was posted on “News Wat Phra Dhammakaya” LINE group, a channel between the mass media and the temple’s communications office.

The three television stations named in the post are: Tnews, Nation and Amarin TV.

Notice of the ban, effective from today, was also posted on the Facebook page of the communications office of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, which is headed by Phra Sanitwong Wuthiwangso.

Reporters from all media outlets quickly asked the temple to explain, but received no response.

Meanwhile, Phra Sanitwong posted a message on his Facebook page claiming he had been warned via  social media  there might be interference by people from a “third party”. They would pose as monks or lay  people to do harm to government authorities and put the blame on Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s monks and disciples.

Phra Sanitwong said Wat Phra Dhammakaya disciples would deny any responsibility should there be any violence caused by people from a “third party”.