Temple Abbot Defrocked After Heroin Found in Residence; Villagers Protest

Khaosod•Society•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Authorities defrocked a temple abbot in Mae Hong Son after heroin was found hidden in his residence, following numerous complaints from villagers about his suspicious involvement with drug trafficking.

•A joint operation involving police, border patrol, administrative officials, and military personnel raided the residence of a temple abbot in Panga Mao District, Mae Hong Son.
•Heroin was discovered hidden within the abbot's living quarters during the search.
•The abbot was immediately defrocked and handed over to police for legal proceedings on drug possession charges.
•The raid was prompted by numerous complaints from local villagers regarding the abbot's suspected involvement in drug activities.

Overview

•On July 9, 2026, a joint force of police, border patrol, administration, and military raided a temple in Panga Mao District, Mae Hong Son.
•Heroin was discovered hidden inside the abbot's residence during the search.
•The abbot was immediately defrocked from his monastic status.
•The abbot was apprehended and handed over to the Panga Mao Police Station for legal prosecution.
•The raid was initiated due to numerous complaints from villagers suspecting the abbot's involvement in drug trafficking.
•Villagers expressed relief and confidence in the action taken to address their concerns.
•The operation was described as a firm response to drug trafficking activities and a commitment to restoring peace and religious integrity.
•The abbot will face legal proceedings for illegal possession of controlled substances.

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Key Entities

Person

Famous Temple Abbot(เจ้าอาวาสวัดดัง)

The abbot of a famous temple in Panga Mao District, Mae Hong Son, who was arrested for heroin possession and defrocked.

Place

Famous Temple(วัดดัง)

A temple in Panga Mao District, Mae Hong Son, where the abbot was found with heroin.

Panga Mao District(อ.ปางมะผ้า)

The district in Mae Hong Son province where the incident of the abbot's arrest for drug possession occurred.

Mae Hong Son Province(จ.แม่ฮ่องสอน)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where Panga Mao District is located and where the temple abbot was arrested.

Organization

Panga Mao Police Station Investigation Page(เพจ สืบสวน สถานีตำรวจภูธรปางมะผ้า)

The Facebook page that reported on the arrest of the temple abbot for heroin possession in Panga Mao District.

Joint Police Force(ตำรวจสนธิกำลัง)

The police unit that collaborated with other agencies to raid the temple and arrest the abbot.

Border Patrol Police (BPP) Company 336(เจ้าหน้าที่ตำรวจตระเวนชายแดน (ตชด.) กองร้อย ตชด.336)ℹ️

A unit of the Border Patrol Police that participated in the raid on the temple in Panga Mao District.

Panga Mao District Administrative Officials(เจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายปกครองอำเภอปางมะผ้า)

Administrative officials from Panga Mao District who participated in the operation to apprehend the temple abbot.

722nd Ranger Company (Ror. 722)(กองร้อยทหารราบที่ 722 (ร้อย ร.722))

A military unit, the 722nd Ranger Company, that was part of the joint force in the raid on the temple.

Panga Mao Police Station Investigators(พนักงานสอบสวน สภ.ปางมะผ้า)

The investigative unit at the Panga Mao Police Station responsible for processing the legal case against the defrocked abbot.

Law

Heroin(เฮโรอีน)ℹ️

The type of illegal drug (Class 1 narcotic) found hidden in the temple abbot's residence.