Crime Shock in Koh Samui as Abbot Arrested for Methamphetamine Use

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Daily News.

 

Police, administrative officials and the provincial Buddhist office raided a well-known temple on the island, arresting the 61-year-old abbot and a monk under his charge for using methamphetamine.

 

The operation on 10 August was led by Amorn Chumchuay, the Koh Samui district chief, together with volunteer defence officials, Pol Col Panya Niratimanon, superintendent of Koh Samui Police, Pol Lt Col Sawat Talwallee, the Internal Security Operations Command and officials from the Surat Thani Provincial Office of Buddhism.

 

Authorities had received complaints from local residents that young people were gathering at the temple and that some monks were suspected of involvement with drugs.

 

During the raid, the abbot and three monks were asked to undergo urine tests, while the abbot’s quarters were searched. Police found drug-taking paraphernalia, which was seized as evidence. Initial urine tests showed positive results for methamphetamine in the abbot and one other monk. Samples were sent to Koh Samui Hospital for confirmation, which verified the presence of the drug. Both men admitted to taking methamphetamine.

 

The pair were taken to meet the district chief monk to formally leave the monkhood before being charged with illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine). They were then handed over to Koh Samui police investigators for prosecution.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Daily News 2025-08-12