Buddhist temple left empty after monks failed drug tests
A Buddhist temple in the center Thailand was left without monks after all of his holy men failed drug tests and were defrocked, a local official said on Tuesday.
Four monks including an abbot in a temple in the province of Phetchabun Bung Sam Phan The district tested positive for methamphetamine on Monday, a district official said Boonlert Thintaphhai told AFP.
The monks were sent to a health clinic for drug treatment, the official said.
“The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers fear they cannot make any merit,” he said.
Merit-making involves devotees giving food to monks as a good deed.
Boonlert said more monks would be sent to the temple to enable villagers to practice their religious obligations.
According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
On the street, the pills sell for less than 20 baht (about $0.50).
authorities through South East Asia have made record methamphetamine seizures in recent years.
Four monks including an abbot in a temple in the province of Phetchabun Bung Sam Phan The district tested positive for methamphetamine on Monday, a district official said Boonlert Thintaphhai told AFP.
The monks were sent to a health clinic for drug treatment, the official said.
“The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers fear they cannot make any merit,” he said.
Merit-making involves devotees giving food to monks as a good deed.
Boonlert said more monks would be sent to the temple to enable villagers to practice their religious obligations.
According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
On the street, the pills sell for less than 20 baht (about $0.50).
authorities through South East Asia have made record methamphetamine seizures in recent years.
