Young Buddhist Monk Arrested With Methamphetamine Pills
A 34-year-old Buddhist monk was arrested at a Phatthalung temple with 14 methamphetamine pills, followed hours later by the arrest of a local distributor with 76 pills in Pa Phayom District.
At 12:30 p.m. on July 21, 2026, Pa Phayom police led by Deputy Superintendent Boonsermsuwarn and Deputy Superintendent Sanya Jantsri conducted a search of the cell of Phra Bier, a 34-year-old monk at a local temple in Pa Phayom District, Phatthalung Province, following reports of drug-related activity. Officers discovered 14 methamphetamine pills and drug paraphernalia. Under questioning, the monk confessed to buying 20 pills and consuming 6, leaving 14 in his possession. He was taken into custody for further investigation before prosecution.
At 4:00 p.m. the same day, provincial investigators arrested Aphichai, 33, from Pa Phayom Village, apprehending him with 76 methamphetamine pills, drug paraphernalia, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone. Under interrogation, Aphichai admitted to obtaining the drugs from a dealer in Wang Ang Subdistrict, Chachoengsao District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and distributing them to local customers at 30 baht per pill while keeping some for personal use. Police are intensifying efforts to track down the larger-scale supplier involved.
