Drug Use Under the Buddha’s Eyes: 'Demonic Monks' Arrested in Buddhist Temples

Two more Buddhist temples in Thailand have been exposed for incidents of monks abusing drugs. Six monks, including the abbot who had been ordained for many years, were forced to leave the monastic order and arrested for drug use.

At a temple in Krabi Province, local residents reported that monks were gathering in the temple to take drugs. On March 13, law enforcement conducted a raid and arrested four monks involved, including the acting abbot.

According to Thai media Naewna, law enforcement first checked the 50-year-old acting abbot who had been ordained for many years. The abbot’s behavior was suspicious; although no drugs were found in his dormitory, he admitted on the spot to long-term methamphetamine use.

Afterwards, officials assembled six monks from the temple, including the aforementioned abbot, for urine tests. Preliminary screening showed four monks tested positive. Further tests at Krabi Hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in their bodies. They were immediately processed for forced disrobing according to the law, and legal proceedings were initiated.

Investigations revealed the abbot had been using drugs for nearly 10 years; the other three monks admitted to buying drugs from local youths for personal use, but said they had not been involved in selling drugs. On the day in question, they consumed about 10 pills of hallucinogens.

Pre-dawn Raid on Drug Temple

On another note, at a temple in Nonthaburi Province, locals reported that monks were gathering in the temple to use drugs. Law enforcement carried out a pre-dawn raid on March 12, detaining two monks involved. Urine tests for both showed positive results, and they were subsequently disrobed and sent for drug rehabilitation.

When law enforcement arrived, several dogs in the temple barked furiously. A monk emerged from his dormitory, identified as the 50-year-old monk who had been ordained for 10 years and accused of involvement in drug activity. Officers then searched his dormitory, but did not find any contraband.

Next, law enforcement searched the dormitory of another 45-year-old monk who had been ordained for over two years, and found multiple drug paraphernalia, which was confiscated on the spot. Both monks underwent urine tests, which detected amphetamines.

Investigation shows the two are suspected of using methamphetamine in the temple; when questioned, both admitted to having recently used drugs. Relevant authorities have already taken them to the temple, where the vice abbot hosted the disrobing ceremony. They were then sent to the relevant agencies for drug rehabilitation and included in the Sustainable Community Program for follow-up counseling.