Monks and Abbot Disrobed After Drug Scandal Rocks Phetchabun Temple

[webfact]

 

A shocking revelation came to light at Wat Pa Sap Warin in Phetchabun Province when four monks, including the acting abbot, tested positive for illicit drugs, leading to their immediate disrobing. This incident underpins growing concerns about drug infiltration in unexpected realms of society, even among supposedly sacred orders.

 

On the morning following a distressing murder incident involving Phra Panthawat Thawongklang, a young monk at the temple, local authorities conducted drug tests as part of their investigation.

 

The homicide seemed to hint at deeper issues within the temple grounds, prompting law enforcement to widen their scope of scrutiny. All four monks tested - aged between 25 to 44 - inexplicably failed their drug tests, showing traces of narcotics.

 

Under the supervision of Mr. Sompong Mahawang, the District Chief, the collective local government and law enforcement team arrived at the temple to execute these tests.

 

The discovery of drug paraphernalia during preliminary searches further validated the decision to test the monks, a decision that culminated in a disheartening revelation for the local community.

 

The monks were subsequently stripped of their religious status and are now subject to rehabilitation protocols at a local health center.

 

The temple, once a pillar of the community, now faces the monumental task of restoring trust and sanctity amid these scandalous developments.

 

The broader implications of these events for the temple’s reputation and the moral standing of monastic communities in the region are profound. It underscores a pressing need for stringent oversight and preventive measures within religious institutions to stem such violations that threaten their integrity and societal roles.

 

 

Picture courtesy: Channel 3Plus

 

-- 2024-07-09

 

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[Gottfrid]

Not to worry, just another temple scandal in the wonderful world of Sangha. This happens somewhere in Thailand1-2 times every month at a minimum. After that, the remaining part of the organization demand respect and are tell they can tech people the right way of life. How, when they so obviously can´t clean up their own doorstep.

[Tropicalevo]

Whilst I think that the Wats are basically places where good things happen, it has been known for a long time that many criminals sign up at a temple to avoid being caught.

It's a good place to hide out and better than prison.

Edited July 9 by Tropicalevo

[brianthainess]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

This incident underpins growing concerns about drug infiltration in unexpected realms of society, even among supposedly sacred orders.

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The homicide seemed to hint at deeper issues within the temple grounds,

First what homicide gave a 'hint' at deeper issues, are there any deeper issues than homicide ? and second it is not unexpected in sacred orders of Thailand by any stretch of the imagination. beggars are what they are IMO.  

[ronster]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The monks were subsequently stripped of their religious status and are now subject to rehabilitation protocols at a local health center

This seems to be the way with people tested positive for drugs.

What are these health centers and who is paying for the people to go there ?

[thesetat2013]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The broader implications of these events for the temple’s reputation and the moral standing of monastic communities in the region are profound. It underscores a pressing need for stringent oversight and preventive measures within religious institutions to stem such violations that threaten their integrity and societal roles

actually, it stresses the need to go to every temple in the country and test all the monks, abbots and anyone else whom the people are giving money, food, and trust to. This is not a one time occurance so i can not understand why they do not treat it as an ongoing problem within the Buddhist culture. 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

A shocking revelation came to light at Wat Pa Sap Warin in Phetchabun Province when four monks, including the acting abbot, tested positive for illicit drugs, leading to their immediate disrobing. This incident underpins growing concerns about drug infiltration in unexpected realms of society, even among supposedly sacred orders.

The drug situation, the trade and consumption in Thailand will eventually bring it to it's knees.

[TheFishman1]

Yeah, if they went around to every temple and drug test every single month, I wouldn’t be surprised at the number, but then again it all got busted in this road for drugs how many months to be left? TIT

[bamnutsak]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

First what homicide gave a 'hint' at deeper issues

 

This one...

 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

On the morning following a distressing murder incident involving Phra Panthawat Thawongklang, a young monk at the temple

 

 

I've searched a bit for info on this homicide, but found nothing. No clue if the person named was the victim or the perpetrator.

 

 

 

[BangkokReady]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

A shocking revelation

 

monks in Thailand always seem to be up to this kind of thing.  Drugs, prostitution, murder.  I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by this.

[HalAndLois]

Yes, defrocking has never been a sever enough penalty.  Let's disrobe them all too!

[Ctkong]

13 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Whilst I think that the Wats are basically places where good things happen, it has been known for a long time that many criminals sign up at a temple to avoid being caught.

It's a good place to hide out and better than prison.

Once you enter monkhood, they issue you a new identification card . New name too. Thus an avenue for those criminals hoping to disappear from the public. 

[Ctkong]

4 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

monks in Thailand always seem to be up to this kind of thing.  Drugs, prostitution, murder.  I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by this.

A few bad apples in the barrel. Given Thailand’s huge monk population, it is unavoidable. 

[d4dang]

On 7/9/2024 at 1:49 AM, thesetat2013 said:

actually, it stresses the need to go to every temple in the country and test all the monks, abbots and anyone else whom the people are giving money, food, and trust to. This is not a one time occurance so i can not understand why they do not treat it as an ongoing problem within the Buddhist culture. 

test teachers, civil servants, police, military, students, workers?....drugs are available almost everywhere and being sold and smuggled constantly...are monks manufacturing drugs? Is everyone under suspicion? Will the scourge of meth and pills ever end?