Police Arrest Three Monks in Nonthaburi Temple Following Complaints of Methamphetamine Use and Possession

Key summary

Police officers from Chaiyaphruk Police Station in Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, arrested three Buddhist monks on October 19 at 19:00 following a complaint received via the National Office Hotline 1111. The investigation revealed possession of 25 methamphetamine tablets (meth) and positive drug test results for one suspect. The primary suspect, identified as Lay Lai (alias Tie), aged 66 from Lopburi Province, admitted to using methamphetamine to gain energy for temple work before voluntarily leaving the monkhood. He stated his intention to quit drugs and not return to monastic life, apologizing for tarnishing the reputation of Buddhism. The other two suspects were identified as San Khom (alias Kom), aged 55 from Bangkok, and Saksol (alias Tong), aged 44 from Suphan Buri Province. Police found 23 meth tablets hidden in a drawer in Lay Lai's room and one tablet each concealed on the bodies of the other two suspects. Laboratory tests at Pak Kret 2 Hospital confirmed the presence of methamphetamine in Lay Lai's urine sample. During interrogation, Lay Lai claimed he purchased approximately 200 tablets from a man nicknamed 'Mr. Jeong' (approx. 40 years old) for 5,000 baht per bag, having consumed some and keeping the remaining 23. All three suspects were charged with unauthorized possession and use of Class I narcotics (methamphetamine). They stated they did not wish to undergo rehabilitation or treatment.