Thai junta lifts control on influential Buddhist temple

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's junta lifted restrictions on movement at the country's biggest Buddhist temple on Tuesday, a month after police ended a siege of the complex whose former abbot is accused of money laundering. A three-week standoff at the Dhammakaya temple between thousands of police and saffron-robed monks became one of the biggest challenges to government authority since a 2014 coup. Police failed to find the monk. The temple - nearly 10 times the area of the Vatican City and topped by a UFO-shaped gold dome - dwarfs Thailand's 40,000 or so other temples in wealth as well as size. It claims millions of followers, although still a small minority of Thai Buddhists. "Restriction on the Dhammakaya temple is revoked," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters after a meeting between the junta and the cabinet. The junta had used its Article 44 emergency law to declare the temple a restricted area and allow security forces to search for Phra Dhammachayo, who is wanted on charges of money laundering and taking over land without permission. The temple, just north of Bangkok, has been linked to more than 350 cases, police have said. It is also being investigated for three new cases involving possible financial crimes. "We are humble, relieved and grateful for the improved situation," senior monk Phra Pasura Dantamano told Reuters, adding that the temple would do its best to meet conditions set by the state and the Sangha religious council. Phra Dhammachayo helped found the temple and remains influential. Aides say they have not seen him for months and that he is too sick for questioning. They say the charges against him are politically motivated. (Reporting by Pracha Hariraksapitak; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Alison Williams)