Nonthaburi:Police have arrested three monks in a temple in the Pak Kret District for methamphetamine use. The monks were charged with possession and use of a Category 1 narcotic without permission after a raid revealed illicit drug activity at the temple.
According to Thai News Agency, complaints had been received about the monks' involvement in drug use and sales at a well-known temple along the Chao Phraya River. During the raid, authorities found 23 methamphetamine pills in the room of Mr. Tee, a 66-year-old monk, who admitted to owning the drugs. He confessed to purchasing 200 pills from a temple worker and consuming them regularly due to the tiring nature of temple maintenance.
Mr. Tee, who had been ordained for six years, expressed remorse and indicated a desire to quit drugs, acknowledging the disgrace brought to the temple and Buddhism. The other two monks, Mr. Kom and Mr. Tong, were found with one methamphetamine pill each. All three monks were defrocked and handed over to the investigating officers for further legal actions.