Monk Arrested with 891 Meth Pills in Temple Drug Bust
The user wants a short summary (1-2 sentences, 120-220 characters, max 240) for a news article about a monk arrested with meth pills in Chonburi. Key facts: - Monk (Luang Phi Ja, 44) arrested at meditation center in Bang Lamung, Chonburi -
At 11:30 a.m. on October 27, 2026, Pol. Col. Phasakorn Paichit, Superintendent of Chonburi Provincial Investigation, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Setthaphuchong Meekun, Pol. Lt. Col. Dechachart Asawong, and Pol. Lt. Col. Sarawut Hemphira, led an investigation team to search a monk's quarters at a meditation center in Moo 2, Nong Plalai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The raid followed a tip from a drug suspect that a monk residing there during the Buddhist Lent was involved with methamphetamine and had recently ordered a large quantity for resale, with money transfers as evidence.
When officers knocked on room 3, the door opened to reveal a monk and two women asleep inside. Both the monk and the women appeared intoxicated. The women were identified as a tom-dee couple. A search of the monk's robes uncovered 200 methamphetamine pills, while another 691 pills were found hidden in the quarters, totaling 891 pills. Drug paraphernalia and ice (crystal methamphetamine) were also seized. The monk claimed ownership of all items.
The monk was identified as "Luang Phi Ja," monastic name "Kotthammo," secular name Jakarin Warat, 44. The two women were Ms. Pawina Phatthanasri, 43 (dee), and Ms. Amphika Phrikthot, 35 (tom). Both women stated they had arrived at the monk's quarters around 5 a.m. after he invited them to use drugs. Urine tests on both women showed purple discoloration.
Luang Phi Ja confessed he ordered the drugs from a dealer known as "Nai Nu," whom he met via social media. Nai Nu would drop the drugs near the temple entrance. Most recently, he ordered 1,000 pills for 4,300 baht, intending to use some himself and sell the rest to acquaintances before his arrest.
The monk further admitted he had just completed a prison sentence for drug offenses three months prior, before the current Lent period. After release, he ordained at a temple in Nong Plalai before moving to this meditation center for the Lent. He relapsed due to cravings and invited friends to join him. This was his first ordination.
Police subsequently took the monk to perform a disrobing ceremony with the abbot of Wat Nong Ket Yai. After disrobing, the former monk apologized to the abbot for tarnishing Buddhism and vowed to accept the consequences.
Pol. Lt. Col. Sarawut Hemphira revealed the arrest stemmed from an investigation into a drug network in Bang Lamung. During the probe, "Luang Phi Ja" called investigators, posing as a drug agent. Police then conducted surveillance to gather evidence before the raid.
