Small temple inside Thailand empty without the monks inside. Local officials said the monks were subjected to drug tests.
Local officials told AFP news agency on Wednesday (30/11/2022), BBC Indonesia reported that 4 monks, including the abbot, have tested positive for using methamphetamine, a substance contained in the narcotic of the methamphetamine type. The temple they occupy is located in Phetchabun province in the north Thailand.
The official, Boonlert Thintapthai, said the monks were then sent to a health facility. There, they will undergo drug rehabilitation.
The mass drug testing was carried out amid a nationwide campaign to eradicate drug trafficking. Drug tests were also conducted on the monks.
The monks were reportedly ejected from the temple after police conducted a urine test on Monday (11/28). Authorities did not provide details as to why the temple was targeted by police.
The temple is empty
Thintapthai told AFP the temple was empty. The monks, he said, weren’t there.
“The temple is empty now because there are no more monks and nearby villagers are worried they can’t donate,” he said.
Charity is an important practice in Buddhism. In this practice, devotees will gain protective powers through good deeds, including giving food to monks.
However, Thintapthai said the local government has turned to the region’s abbots for help. They have promised to assign new monks to the monastery in Bung Sam Phan district.
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