06:26
For more, let's go to our correspondent Tony Cheng in Bangkok.
"Tony, tell us more about the latest arrests. Are the mass Buddhist followers shocked by the news?"
Thai police hammer in the door of a suspect. Weapons drawn, they scream at him to surrender. But their target is a senior monk, and while members of the clergy have no special dispensation under the law, in this predominantly Buddhist society, treating the ordained like this is considered taboo. What makes this arrest different, is the charge of lèse majesté, offending the monarchy.
SEREEPISUTH TEMMEYAWECH THAI POLICE COMMISSIONER "The most important charge is he sold amulets with royal emblems on them, as if he had permission from the Palace, even though he didn't."
Buddha Issara came to National prominence in 2014, when he led one of the groups opposing the elected government. The protests opened the way for the military to stage a coup. His followers were amongst the most militant. After this shootout with police and Red Shirts, one man was left permanently paralysed. The charges he faces relate to these incidents four years ago, but until now, the authorities have been reluctant to act.
Thailand's prime minister and his deputy, have both made very public apologies for the nature of the arrest, but neither seem prepared to release him, despite his previous political support for the military junta. But the Buddhist church has fallen under the spotlight recently for abusing its power.
TONY CHENG BANGKOK "Thailand's Buddhist establishment is in something of a crisis of confidence at the moment, as the church tries to fulfil the spiritual needs of the people, as they try to navigate a highly materialistic world."
The military Junta has tried to act against corruption in the church. Recently they moved to arrest the abbot of the controversial Dhammarkaya monastery, who'd accumulated millions of dollars in donations, and wielded considerable political influence, although he managed to flee without a trace.
The problem is not a new one, but has grown unchecked as previous administrations feared to tackle it face on.
PHRA MAHAPAIWAN WORAWANNO SOITHONG TEMPLE"The problem stems from the law, which allows senior monks to operate with impunity, thus opening the door for corruption."
It will take more than a few high-profile arrests to make that corruption go away.
But the more cases that come before the courts, the more it seems that Thailand is losing faith in those who're supposed to nurture it.