Thai Monks Arrested After Testing Positive for Meth

Four Buddhist monks in Thailand have been defrocked and sent for rehabilitation after testing positive for methamphetamine during a police drug sweep on 17 July.

The raid took place in Si Sa Ket province, where authorities were acting on community reports of suspicious activity at local temples. Urine tests at two temples revealed four monks had taken the drug.

The men later admitted to using meth, with one monk in his 60s saying he took two pills to ease chronic pain and to celebrate the start of Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa).

The incident has raised concerns about drug use within monastic communities. Local police confirmed the men are now in a government-run rehab facility.