Monk Arrested for Drugs at 2 Temples in Phanom Sarakham

Khaosod•Society•18d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities found monks involved with narcotics at two prominent temples in Phanom Sarakham, leading to several arrests and defrockings.

•Officials raided two temples in Phanom Sarakham, Chachoengsao province, following complaints of them being gathering spots for youngsters.
•A monk ordained for 8 years was found to be brewing kratom and using methamphetamine, leading to his arrest and defrocking.
•During the inspection, another individual, Manat, was found to have methamphetamine in his system and confessed to usage.
•At the second temple, Sommat was arrested with 11 speed pills, admitting he was selling them to monks within the temple, resulting in two more monks being arrested and defrocked.

•On May 7, 2026, at 10:30 AM, officials conducted a drug raid at two temples in Phanom Sarakham.
•Officials searched monks for drugs at the first temple, finding narcotics in Phra Kitti's system.
•Phra Kitti was found with kratom water and drug paraphernalia in his cell at the first temple.
•Manat, aged 29, was arrested at the first temple for methamphetamine usage.
•Officials intercepted Sommat, aged 26, at the second temple with 11 speed pills.
•Sommat confessed to selling speed pills to monks at the second temple.
•Two monks from the second temple were arrested and defrocked for purchasing and using speed pills.
•All arrested individuals were handed over to legal authorities for prosecution, resulting in severe legal consequences.

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Phra Kitti

"Can I be ordained for another year?"

ขอบวชอีก 1 พรรษาได้หรือไม่

Phra Kitti(พระกิตติ)

A monk ordained for 8 years who was arrested at Phanom Sarakham temple for brewing kratom and using methamphetamine.

Mr. Porntep Aatbanditkul(นายพรเทพ อาจบัณฑิตกุล)

Provincial Chachoengsao Defenses Official who led the drug inspection at the temples.

Ms. Chattranon Niyom(น.ส.ฉัตรประอร นิยม)

Governor of Chachoengsao who ordered the drug crackdown operation.

Mr. Manat(นายมนัส)

A 29-year-old individual arrested at the first temple for methamphetamine usage.

Mr. Sommat(นายสมมาศ)

A 26-year-old individual arrested at the second temple with 11 speed pills, also admitted to selling them to monks.

Phanom Sarakham District(อำเภอพนมสารคาม)

The district in Chachoengsao province where two temples were raided for drug-related activities.

Chachoengsao(ฉะเชิงเทรา)ℹ️

The province where the drug crackdown operations at the two temples took place.

Chachoengsao Provincial Office of the National Office of Buddhism(สำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาจังหวัดฉะเชิงเทรา)

An organization involved in the official inspection of monks and temples in Chachoengsao.

Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC)(กอ.รมน.)ℹ️

A military agency that participated in the drug raid at the Phanom Sarakham temples.

Civil Administration(ฝ่ายปกครอง)

The administrative body responsible for local governance and law enforcement, which conducted the drug raids.