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Drunk Monk Detained & Disrobed at Udon Thani Bus Station

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Pictures courtesy of Naewna

Police in Udon Thani detained a visibly intoxicated Buddhist monk at the province’s main bus terminal on 31 December 2025 after his disruptive behaviour caused alarm among passengers, before escorting him for disrobing at a local temple. The incident unfolded at Bus Terminal 1 in Muang district and prompted immediate police action to restore order at the busy transport hub.

According to police at Muang Udon Thani station, officers responded to a report from terminal staff who said a monk was shouting, behaving erratically and appeared heavily intoxicated, creating panic among members of the public using the facility. When officers arrived, they found the monk speaking incoherently, acting provocatively towards staff and motorcycle taxi drivers, and struggling to communicate clearly. He calmed down only after police intervened and took control of the situation.

The monk was taken into custody and transported for official procedures before being disrobed at Wat Matchimawat. He was later identified as Phra Suphot, or Mr Suphot, aged 55, attached to a temple in Pak Chom district, Loei province. The disrobing was carried out in accordance with standard practice when a monk is found to have committed a serious disciplinary breach.

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Mr Suphot told police and reporters that he was a wandering meditation monk who had travelled from Phibun Rak district in Udon Thani province. He insisted that he held a valid monk’s certificate, was not an impostor and had been ordained for exactly eight years, eight months and eight days. He said he was travelling to visit an acquaintance at a nearby temple.

However, during an interview with reporters, Mr Suphot appeared heavily drunk, speaking rapidly with slurred speech and froth visible at the corners of his mouth. Initially, he denied consuming alcohol and claimed to have drunk only water. He later admitted that he had been drinking alcohol, explaining that he had become angry after a conflict with a friend who serves as a local administrative organisation official and had consumed alcohol at several locations before arriving at the bus terminal.

A three-wheeled motorcycle taxi driver told reporters that the monk had travelled by public bus from Wang Sam Mo district and disembarked at the terminal. Bus staff reportedly noticed throughout the journey that he appeared to be drinking and behaving inappropriately. Witnesses said his conduct was widely seen as unsuitable for a monk, leading members of the public to report the matter to police.

Naewna reported that the case highlights ongoing concerns among authorities and the public about inappropriate conduct by individuals in monkhood in public spaces. Police said there were no further charges announced at the time and that the matter would be handled in line with religious and legal procedures.

Key Takeaways

• Police detained a monk at Udon Thani Bus Terminal 1 on 31 December 2025 after reports of drunken and disruptive behaviour.

• The monk, identified as Phra Suphot, 55, admitted to drinking alcohol and was disrobed at Wat Matchimawat.

• Authorities acted after passengers and staff complained that his behaviour caused panic and was inappropriate.

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image.png Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2026-01-02


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Isn't that cop breaking the law by sitting on the side of the pickup ?.....coffee1

On 1/2/2026 at 9:21 AM, brian69 said:

Isn't that cop breaking the law by sitting on the side of the pickup ?.....coffee1

Nicely spotted, I'll let you tell him.

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