Buddhist Monk Caught Camping in Forest with Beer Order, Found with Drug Paraphernalia; Complains Rider Shouldn't Have Posted Video After Tipping Well

On May 25, 2569, a video shared online from Kanchanaburi Province showed a man dressed as a Buddhist monk relaxing in a hammock in the forest with beer bottles on the ground. When the rider filming asked to join him for a drink, the man responded that he was about to use drugs before chasing the rider away. The incident sparked criticism online, with questions about why a real monk would order beer. District Officer Somboorn Phaensomboorn of Mueang Kanchanaburi ordered an investigation into the forest area in Subdistrict Pak Phraek, Municipality of Mueang, Kanchanaburi Province. Officials found evidence of a campfire and drug equipment scattered on the ground, and located Phra Nanthapol, 50 years old.

Phra Nanthapol admitted to being the person in the video. He explained that he is from Kanchanaburi but had been ordained as a monk and was stationed at a temple in Phuket for 8 years. Feeling homesick, he returned to Kanchanaburi and had been camping on family land in the forest for about a week. Regarding the video, he stated that he ordered 6 beers and ice for delivery, not expecting the rider to post the video online despite receiving a good tip. He ordered the beer to alleviate loneliness while alone in the forest and had consumed 3 bottles when officials arrived. He expressed willingness to be defrocked.

When officials questioned him about the drug equipment, Phra Nanthapol initially denied using drugs. He was taken to Thewasangkharam Royal Temple to be defrocked before undergoing a urine test. The test returned positive for methamphetamine, causing Nanthapol to admit to drug use. He stated he had purchased 10 methamphetamine pills from a former friend at 100 baht each and had already consumed all of them. Authorities arrested Nanthapol and referred the case to Mueang Kanchanaburi Police Station for further legal proceedings.