Two monks caught with meth, defrocked in Kanchanaburi

2026-03-25 - 04:30

KANCHANABURI — 24 March 2026, Authorities in Bo Phloi and Sangkhla Buri districts arrested two Buddhist monks who admitted to taking methamphetamine and were later defrocked. At about 12:30 on 24 March, Bo Phloi district chief Chawarot Makkaw and local police received a tip-off that two monks at a temple in tambon Bo Phloi were involved with drugs. Officers searched their quarters and found 2.5 methamphetamine pills in the room of a 35-year-old monk, identified as Tom, and seven pills in the room of a 31-year-old monk, identified as Phan. Both men showed no sign of distress during the arrest and appeared relaxed, smiling at officers. They confessed the drugs were for personal use. The temple abbot was summoned to formally defrock them before they were taken to Bo Phloi police station for further questioning. Urine tests later confirmed drug use. They were charged with illegal possession and consumption of a Category 1 narcotic. Police said the source of the drugs remains under investigation.