Officials led by Dong Charoen district chief Hattapol Mek-arpha to search the Khok Sanan temple in Moo 10 village in Tambon Wang Ngiew and made the arrest. The search was carried out after the district chief received complaints from local residents that many monks at the temple were suspected abusing methamphetamine. The abbot, Phra Yongyut Saeri, 62, and Phra Somboon Hansongkram, 19, Phra Phakkapol Termpaibool, 54 and Phra Thossapol Thapkong, 39, were taken to be defrocked by the district monastic chief. They were charged with abusing meth.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 23, 2018 09:56 UTC