Koh samui: Police, in conjunction with local administrative officials and the Office of Buddhism, conducted a raid on a well-known temple where the abbot was allegedly inviting monks to use methamphetamine. Both the abbot and a monk tested positive for methamphetamine, leading to the abbot’s defrocking and prosecution.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Amorn Chuaychu, the Koh Samui District Chief, led a team of volunteers from the 15th Territorial Defense Volunteers, along with Pol. Col. Panya Nirattimanon, Superintendent of Koh Samui Police Station, Pol. Lt. Col. Sawat Talwanli, Investigation Superintendent, ISOC Region 4, Koh Samui area, and officials from the Surat Thani Provincial Office of Buddhism, to inspect the temple. This inspection followed complaints from residents about a group of teenagers gathering at the temple, raising suspicions of drug-related activities among the monks.

During the operation, officials invited the abbot and four monks to undergo urine tests for drugs. A search of the abbot’s quarters revealed drug paraphernalia, which was seized as evidence. The urine tests confirmed the presence of drugs in the bodies of the temple abbot and another monk. Officials took the urine samples to Koh Samui Hospital for further drug testing, which confirmed the presence of methamphetamine. Both monks confessed to drug use.

Initially, officials took the abbot and the temple’s novice monks into custody to disrobe them. They were charged with illegal use of Category 1 narcotics, specifically methamphetamine, and were subsequently taken to the Koh Samui Police Station for further legal proceedings.