Shocking: Buddhist temple in Thailand defrocked, monks fail drug tests

In a shocking revelation, a Buddhist temple in central Thailand has been left devoid of monks after all its holy men failed drug tests, and tested positive for intake of methamphetamine. 

Thailand, known for its Buddhist temples, offers free treatment programmes for rehabilitation to patients and specialises in treating drug addiction. Upon arrival, patients are searched and any drugs found are confiscated. All electronic devices and money are to be handed over to begin the rehabilitation process. 

Coming as a shocker, the temple located in Phetchabun province’s Bung Sam Phan district has been defrocked and four monks, including an abbot, have been transferred to a medical facility for drug rehabilitation. 

According to AFP, district official Boonler Thintapthai said, “The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers are concerned they cannot do any merit-making.” 

Merit-making involves worshippers donating food to monks as a good deed.

“More monks are to be dispatched to the divine premises so as locals don’t face any inconvenience in regard to their worship and religious procedures,” the official added. 

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Thailand is a major transit country for the methamphetamine drug flooding the country from Myanmar’s volatile Shan state via Laos. On the street, pills sell for less than 20 baht.