Authorities expanded their investigation and arrested three monks in Buriram province, including an abbot and two temple monks, who used money from religious ceremonies donated by devotees to buy methamphetamine for shared use. Nearly 200 pills were seized, and the suspects were defrocked and charged.
On 18 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwat Nammongkol, deputy superintendent and head of the Narcotics Suppression Unit of Buriram Provincial Police, led a task force from Buriram Narcotics Suppression Unit working jointly with narcotics units from Border Patrol Police Unit 21, Border Patrol Police Companies 215 and 216, the administrative officers of Mueang Buriram district, military personnel from the Internal Security Operations Command, and the 26th Ranger Regiment's special operations unit to conduct an anti-drug operation. They arrested monks involved with drugs in Buriram province, seizing 184 methamphetamine pills. The investigation extended to another monk in Phutthaisong district and the abbot of a temple in Prakhon Chai district.
The operation began when officers learned of a planned drug handover near the border between Ku Mueang and Phutthaisong districts, close to the Mun River bridge. They tracked a suspicious black sedan that ran multiple red lights, following it for over 40 kilometers until it stopped at a red light at Ban Nong Kung intersection in Chum Het subdistrict, Mueang Buriram district. The officers then identified themselves and inspected the vehicle.
Inside the car were two monks: Phra Tang, also known as Mr. Kittisak, aged 31, and Phra Piao, or Mr. Wachirawit, aged 22. During the search, Phra Tang dropped a ziplock bag containing 10 methamphetamine pills. Further search uncovered 89 more pills hidden in his monk's shoulder cloth and 82 pills concealed beneath the car's console mat, totaling 181 pills found in the vehicle and on the two monks.
Examining Phra Tang's mobile phone, officers found chat messages, voice clips, and money transfer evidence related to the purchase of methamphetamine. The information linked to another monk from a temple in Phutthaisong district and also to the abbot of the temple where Phra Tang resides, prompting immediate further investigation.
Officers then went to Wat Suwannaram in Ban Pao subdistrict, Phutthaisong district, where they found Phra Plai, or Mr. Yutthana, aged 27, collecting alms. They waited to conduct a search, during which Phra Plai admitted to buying one bag of methamphetamine from local youths for 3,800 baht to deliver to Phra Tang.
Phra Plai also revealed that after handing over the drugs to Phra Tang, he received five methamphetamine pills in return, which he used together with another temple monk. Two pills remained hidden inside a phone box in his quarters, along with drug paraphernalia. Officers seized these items as evidence.
Subsequently, officers summoned the involved monks for defrocking and expanded the inquiry to include Phra Tum, or Phra Phiphat, aged 32, the abbot and head of Wat Pa Nong Hin in Panku subdistrict, Prakhon Chai district. His urine test returned positive for drugs.
Initially, Phra Phiphat denied using drugs but later admitted to using methamphetamine about 2-3 days prior. He denied ordering the drugs until officers presented Facebook chat logs and money transfer evidence, after which he confessed to instructing temple monks to purchase methamphetamine for use within the temple.
Phra Phiphat said he has been ordained for seven vassa seasons and serves as both abbot and head of the temple, which has four monks. He admitted prior drug involvement before ordination but had stopped. After ordaining, a young monk previously arrested offered him methamphetamine, leading him to resume use alongside two other temple monks.
Regarding the latest purchase, Phra Phiphat said he instructed Phra Tang and Phra Piao to collect about 200 methamphetamine pills, costing 3,800 baht, using money from religious ceremonies and villagers' donations as payment. The actual amount received was less than 200 pills, which they shared for consumption.
During questioning, Phra Phiphat expressed concern that on 20 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the temple was scheduled to hold its annual Dharma outreach event, including chanting, meditation, and offering breakfast to participating monks. However, with three of the four monks arrested, only an elderly monk recently ordained remains, who is not yet proficient in chanting.
Authorities are preparing to intensify efforts to track down local youths in Phutthaisong district accused of supplying methamphetamine to the monks. They will pursue legal action against these suppliers.