AFP was informed by an official that four monks, which included the abbot, tested positive for methamphetamine in Phetchabun’s northern region. Boonlert Thintapthai, a district official, said that the monks were taken to a rehabilitation centre for drug rehabilitation.
This raid is part of a nationwide effort to stop drug trafficking which has been increasing at alarming rates. Police had conducted urine tests on the monks, and they were all found to be unfit. Officials couldn’t identify what brought police to the temple.
What has the district official said?
Boonlert Thintapthai, a local administrator, stated that the temple is currently without monks and that people are worried about their ability to merit-make. According to him, regional officials sought the help of the monastic leader in Bung Sam Phan to alleviate worshipers’ concerns and allow them to continue their religious rituals with these monks.
Thintapthai stated that local officials sought the help of the monastic chief to assist the temple in Bung Sam Phan to address concerns of worshippers.
Thailand is an important transit country for methamphetamines flooding into Thailand via Laos from Myanmar’s troubled Shan State.
Myanmar, the largest methamphetamine producer in the world, is the main source of the drugs flooding into the country.
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, methamphetamine seizures have increased in Thailand in recent years.
Methamphetamine is transported through the country as a major source of supply. Laos is the gateway to Myanmar, the largest producer of methamphetamine in the world.
The pills are then sold streetside at a price of 50 Baht ($1.40; P.S.1.17).
Prayuth Chanocha, the Thai Prime Minister, ordered a crackdown on drugs following the death of 37 people by a former officer from Thailand’s police force who was fired for possession of methamphetamine.
