Thai Abbot Defrocked After Testing Positive for Drugs in Roi Et Temple Raid
Thai Abbot Defrocked After Testing Positive for Drugs in Roi Et Temple Raid
ROI ET, Thailand — October 13, 2026 — An abbot in Roi Et province was defrocked and sent for drug rehabilitation on October 12 after admitting to methamphetamine use and testing positive for drugs during a raid at his temple.
The operation followed a tip-off that groups of youths had allegedly been gathering at a temple in Nam Kham subdistrict, Suwannaphum district, to use methamphetamine with the abbot.
A joint team of police officers and local community leaders went to the temple to investigate. The abbot was reportedly the only monk staying at the premises.
When officers approached him inside the temple grounds, he fled but was apprehended after a chase of approximately 120 metres.
During questioning, the abbot admitted to using drugs and said he had run because he panicked when officers arrived. A subsequent urine test returned a positive result for drugs.
Local community leaders then arranged for him to leave the monkhood. He was subsequently taken to Suwannaphum Hospital for rehabilitation under Thailand’s drug treatment procedures.
The investigation continued at a house directly opposite the temple, where officers arrested two people suspected of supplying methamphetamine to the former abbot.
Police seized nine methamphetamine pills during the search.
The two suspects face allegations of possessing methamphetamine for sale and distributing the drug for commercial purposes. They are also accused of drug use and driving under the influence of drugs.
Both suspects, along with the seized pills, were taken to Hua Thon Police Station for further legal proceedings.
