Thai Abbot and Two Monks Accused of Using Temple Donations to Buy Yaba After 40km Police Chase
Thai Abbot and Two Monks Accused of Using Temple Donations to Buy Yaba After 40km Police Chase
BURIRAM, 20 September 2026 — A Buddhist temple in Thailand’s Buriram province has become the centre of a drug investigation after an abbot and two monks were arrested over allegations that money from religious ceremonies and donations was used to purchase methamphetamine, or “Yaba.”
The case began on September 18, when Buriram narcotics officers, border patrol police, soldiers and other security personnel launched an operation targeting suspected drug trafficking near the border of Khu Mueang and Phutthaisong districts.
Officers spotted a suspicious black sedan and followed it for more than 40 kilometres after the vehicle allegedly ran several red lights. The chase ended when the car stopped at a traffic light in Mueang Buriram district.
Police were surprised to find two monks inside.
The driver was identified as 31-year-old Kittisak, also known as “Tang”, while the second monk was identified as 22-year-old Wachirawit, also known as “Phiao.”
Police said 10 Yaba pills were found in Tang’s possession, while another 89 pills were allegedly hidden inside Phiao’s robes. Officers also found 82 pills underneath the vehicle’s centre-console carpet, bringing the initial seizure to 181 pills.
Investigators then examined Tang’s phone and allegedly found messages, voice recordings and money-transfer records connected to drug purchases. The investigation led police to another monk, identified as 27-year-old Yutthana, or “Plai,” who was allegedly involved in arranging the purchase of methamphetamine.
Police also discovered drug-use equipment at the temple.
The investigation subsequently led authorities to the abbot, identified as 32-year-old Phiphat, or “Tum,” of Wat Pa Nong Hin in Prakhon Chai district.
According to police, Phiphat tested positive for drugs and later admitted to using methamphetamine several days earlier. Investigators also allegedly found Facebook Messenger conversations indicating that he had instructed two monks to purchase methamphetamine.
Phiphat reportedly told investigators that the temple had four monks and that money used for the latest drug purchase came from payments received for religious ceremonies and donations from villagers.
Police said the monks had attempted to purchase about 200 Yaba pills for 3,800 baht. The money allegedly included 1,000 baht contributed by Kittisak and another 1,000 baht transferred by Phiphat, with the remainder to be paid later.
The 181 pills seized from the vehicle and monks, together with another three pills recovered during the subsequent investigation, brought the reported total to 184 Yaba pills.
The three monks directly connected to the temple investigation were subsequently taken for disrobing and handed over to authorities for legal proceedings.
