After testing positive for meth, four Buddhist monks in Thailand were sent to rehab.
An official informed Agence France-Presse that the holy men, including the temple’s abbot or head monk, failed the drug tests on Monday in the Phetchabun province’s Bung Sam Phan area.
According to the administrator, Boonlert Thintapthai,“The temple is now empty of monks and nearby villagers are concerned they cannot do any merit-making.”
As part of the province’s anti-drug campaign, police invaded the temple and made the monks submit to urine testing.
The monks, who have not been identified, have subsequently been transported to a medical center for drug treatment.
Thai Temple Left Without Monks After They All Test Positive For Meth https://t.co/gAAwns6OV4
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In the wake of their positive tests, they were also instantly removed from the monkhood, leaving their small temple without any religious leaders.
Buddhists who practice merit-making is an act of giving food to monks as a symbol of their good deeds.
According to the authority, backup monks are being deployed to the temple so that the locals can fulfill their religious commitments.
The existence of illegal drugs in the temple was not immediately apparent.
Methamphetamine from nearby countries floods into Thailand, where it is a significant transit country. On the street, pills may be purchased for as low as 50 cents.
The positive meth tests are only the most recent example of improper behavior on the part of Thai monks.
Phra Annipalo, a 34-year-old drug-addled monk, was arrested earlier this month in northern Thailand after reportedly carjacking two vehicles and giving police a wild chase.
