Two young monks in Phetchaburi province have been arrested for consuming methamphetamine inside a temple’s monk quarters.
The incident, which has left the local community stunned, occurred yesterday, July 1, when police in Khao Yoi district, in collaboration with local officials, raided the temple after receiving intelligence reports about the monks’ involvement in drug use.
The operation was led by Police Colonel Thip Khengkhoom, superintendent of Khao Yoi Police Station, alongside Deputy Superintendent for Crime Prevention and Suppression, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chalong Joyphuengporn, and Inspector of Crime Prevention and Suppression, Pol. Lt. Col. Thaworn Phonlap.
They were joined by Khao Yoi District Chief Officer Chitiphun Buaprakong and other local officials.
The raid took place at the monks’ quarters within the temple, where authorities discovered meth and drug paraphernalia, confirming the allegations of drug use. Both monks, who are around 20 years old, were immediately defrocked and arrested. They were charged with possessing and consuming a Category 1 narcotic, meth, in violation of the law.
The two monks were taken into custody and interrogated to uncover the source of the drugs. Following their questioning, they were transferred to Khao Yoi Police Station, where further legal proceedings will take place, reported KhaoSod.
This incident has raised concerns about drug abuse in unexpected places, with temples traditionally being considered symbols of spiritual purity. The authorities’ swift action has been praised for bringing the matter to light, and many are calling for stricter monitoring of such institutions to prevent similar scandals in the future.
In similar news, in Krabi, a district chief led a successful raid that resulted in the arrest of a monk and his accomplice for drug-related offences. The monk was caught with three meth pills, a .32 calibre firearm, and a bullet at a temple in Sai Thai subdistrict.
Further investigations revealed that the monk had obtained the drugs from a 39 year old hotel employee who was later arrested with over 1,700 meth pills, 39.6 grammes of crystal meth, and a digital scale.
The story Temple raid: Monks busted for meth use in central Thailand as seen on Thaiger News.
