Lampang Monk Cleared in Drug Test After Sermon Incident
The user wants a short summary (1-2 sentences, 120-220 characters, max 240) for a news deck. The article is about a Lampang monk cleared by drug test after odd behavior during a sermon. Key facts: Phra Em Apipunno tested negative for drugs;
The Lampang Buddhism Office has released urine test results confirming that Phra Em Apipunno (Kru Ba Em), a monk at Tham Chaeng Temple in Mae Tha District, Lampang Province, tested negative for drugs. The examination followed online speculation about his behavior — a stiff neck and sudden laughter — while delivering a sermon on October 28. Kanekit Phromnuchanan, Chief of the Lampang Provincial Buddhism Office, said the temple abbot, Phra Ajarn Tawan, had already admonished the monk, who attributed his symptoms to a flu. To maintain transparency and public trust, the office coordinated with Dr. Krasin Khiawping, Director of Mae Tha Hospital, and Pol. Lt. Col. Pinij Netpanya, Superintendent of Mae Tha Police Station, to conduct urine drug screenings and health evaluations for Phra Em and all resident monks. All urine tests returned negative for narcotics. Medical and psychiatric staff also performed preliminary physical and mental health assessments and drew blood for detailed laboratory analysis, with full results to be announced later.
