SUPHAN BURI — A monk was defrocked after authorities found two methamphetamine pills in his temple quarters in Muang district and a urine test came back positive for the drug.
Muang Suphan Buri district officials, led by district chief Sittiporn Khomhom, launched the operation after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen that a monk at a local temple was using methamphetamine, locally known as ya ba, inside his quarters.
Officials from the district security office were sent to inspect the temple.
When officers arrived, they found the monk, identified only as Monk N. to protect his identity, in the temple grounds. Authorities said he appeared suspicious and immediately walked back to his quarters after seeing the officers.
With permission from the abbot, officers followed him inside and asked what he was doing. The monk said he was eating snacks and admitted he was secretly eating them after the designated meal time for monks had passed.
Officers then searched the monk and his quarters, finding two methamphetamine pills inside a transparent zip-lock bag. The bag was placed in a basket on top of a refrigerator.
A urine test came back positive for methamphetamine, prompting authorities to have the monk leave the monkhood.
During questioning, the former monk admitted that he had used methamphetamine that morning and had shared the drugs with another monk who had previously been defrocked.
Authorities said a background check found that he had previously served prison terms 15 times for drug-related and robbery offenses.
He was charged with illegal possession of a Category 1 narcotic, methamphetamine, and illegal use of methamphetamine without permission.
Officials took him to the Muang Suphan Buri District Office to document the arrest before handing him over to police at Muang Suphan Buri Police Station for further legal proceedings.
