Abbot Arrested for Buying Meth in Another District
Buriram police arrested a Buddhist abbot and a local man for buying and using methamphetamine in another district to avoid detection. The abbot admitted transferring 400 baht for the drugs, citing loneliness during the Buddhist Lent as his motive. Both face drug charges and the abbot has been defrocked.
Police said Abbot Kowit drove his car from the temple to a meeting point in Prakon Chai district to collect the meth, which he intended to share with Apisit. He confessed that he had been using meth for some time and bought it elsewhere because, as a respected monk, he feared villagers would suspect him if he purchased it near the temple. Both men were charged with possession and consumption of Category 1 narcotics and Abbot Kowit was subsequently defrocked before being handed over for prosecution.
