‍Thai police returned to the Dhammakaya headquarters near Bangkok in 16 teams with police dogs for the second day of the search in their long-running effort to arrest Phra Dhammajayo, a 72-year-old former abbot suspected of money laundering.

Hundreds of them managed to enter the complex Thursday, but came up empty-handed. 

Woranan Srilam, the deputy spokesman of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said at a press briefing that they found medical equipment in the rooms of Dhammajayo. 

"Blockades are now enforcing, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving," the temple's public relations department said on its Twitter feed on Thursday.

The search would be ongoing and officials said they would keep searching the complex, under a 10-day search warrant.

Dhammajayo was accused of taking over land unlawfully to build meditation centers, laundering money, and receiving stolen assets.

The temple for months failed to hand over Dhammajayo, saying he was too ill to be questioned.

Previous attempts to search the temple were blocked by thousands of  Dhammajayo’s supporters acting as human shields. His devotees denied the accusations as politically motivated. 

The complex is famous for its golden dome and its outdoor meditation space holds 100,000 people.

 It is controversial partly due to its size, its followers’ intense devotion, and its unusual interpretation of Buddhist practice. Critics also allege its links to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

This month, Thailand's new king picked a respected monk from another branch of Buddhism to become the country's top religious figure, snubbing a monk with ties to the Dhammakaya temple.

"We are sealing off the temple and after that we will search all the buildings," Col Paisit Wongmaung, head of the DSI, told BBC that Dhammajayo should surrender if he thinks he's innocent.

Supporters of Dhammajayo have been praying in front of the temple for his safety.