Abbot & 2 Monks Defrocked After Testing Positive for Drugs

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

Three Buddhist monks, including the abbot of a temple in Non Sang district, Nong Bua Lamphu, have been defrocked after testing positive for illegal drugs. The case came to light following complaints from local residents who raised concerns about suspicious activities at the temple.

Villagers had reported to the Damrongdhama Centre (a local government complaint unit) that groups of teenagers were frequently seen entering and exiting the back of the temple on motorcycles, prompting fears that monks may be involved in drug-related activities.

In response, police officers conducted drug tests on all six monks residing at the temple, including the abbot. The results revealed that three monks, including the abbot himself, had traces of narcotics in their systems.

The individuals identified were:

• Phra Chairat aged 47

• Phra Kamta aged 53

• Phra Suwinai aged 31

All three confessed to having taken drugs three days earlier. They also admitted to purchasing the substances from local youths who had brought the drugs into the temple grounds.

Following the confession, the monks were formally defrocked (laicised) in accordance with Buddhist monastic protocol and handed over to the Non Sang Police Station for further legal proceedings.

The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter oversight and protection of religious institutions from the spread of narcotics.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-02