Acting top monk ‘within rights to not testify on illegal car’

He said the monk was within his right to not testify, though forgoing the right to provide his side of the story meant that the officials could not be accused of being unfair. He also pointed out that the DSI had already been respectful by seeking to speak to him first. 

Paiboon also said the Wat Paknam team of lawyers should not be making a fuss, as that might further damage the monk’s case. The minister made these comments because the lawyers asked DSI officials to submit a list of questions for the temple’s consideration first.