Thai monks arrested with drugs, porn, sex toys, escort directories
What's the story
In a shocking incident, Thai police raided the Phrom Sunthon Monastery in Chonburi province and found four Buddhist monks with illegal items. The raid was conducted after villagers complained about the monks' involvement in drug use and gun possession. During the search, officers discovered a stash of pornographic material, sex toys, a penis pump, and a list of escorts.
Arrest details
3 monks tested positive for methamphetamine
The monks arrested during the raid were identified as Phra Supachai Jantawong (35), Phra Wirat Mukdasanit (45), Phra Thanapol Maison (59), and temple abbot Phra Photisang Taebmuan. All four have been expelled from their positions and banned from practicing Buddhism. Three of them tested positive for methamphetamine use during the raid. Colonel Saksilp Kamnoedsin of Chonburi's Internal Security Operations Command said those found using drugs will be sent for rehabilitation.
Nationality issue
Abbot handed over to immigration officials
The temple abbot was found to be a Karen national (a group native to southern and southeastern Myanmar) and unregistered in civil records. He has been handed over to immigration officials for further investigation and deportation. Supachai, one of the monks who tested positive for meth, said he took the drug for pain relief from diabetes and high blood pressure.
Past incidents
Similar incident last year
The incident comes after a major scandal in July last year when Wilawan Emsawat, also known as Sika Golf, was arrested for blackmailing senior monks with sexually explicit photos and videos. She reportedly extorted around 387 million baht (approximately ₹11 crore) from several high-ranking monks by threatening to expose them. While Buddhism is the major religion in Thailand, monks have been embroiled in sex scandals, with a major one exploding in July last year.