Abbots caught drink-driving, disrobed

Abbots caught drink-driving, disrobed

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Two abbots in Sikhiu district were expelled from the monkhood after a night of heavy drinking that ended up with a car accident on Sunday.

Police and emergency crews were alerted to the accident at an intersection near the entrance to Ban Nong Jok in tambon Mittraparb at 7am. After they arrived they found a man in a car trying to pull another car out of a ditch with a rope. 

When police and rescue crews approached them to offer help, they recognised the driver of the car stranded in the ditch as Phra Thewet Sadhammo, 60, abbot of Wat Nong Jok. The other driver was Phra Somchai Engchantuak, 48, abbot of Wat Thoongpanomwang.

The two temples are located near to each other. The monks had disguised themselves in layman’s clothes and caps. Both appeared to be so drunk that they could not stand straight, Sikhiu police investigator Pol Lt Col Samart Rattanawichai told Thai Rath newspaper.

The disgraced monks were taken to a police station for inquiries after the blood alcohol concentration for each of them was found to be three to four times over the legal limit of 0.05% (0.5g of alcohol per litre of blood). 

The monks were quoted by police as saying they made an appointment over the phone to meet at a restaurant in the adjacent district of Sung Noen on Saturday night. After hours of drinking and getting very drunk, they left the restaurant at 5am. They had managed to drive almost to their temples when Phra Thewet lost control of his car, which plunged into the ditch.   

The abbots were released from the monkhood at the police station and charged with drink-driving. 

Supachai Luangchantuak, chairman of the Mittraparb Tambon Administration Organisation, said he and other residents had known for a long time that the two former abbots were “drinking buddies” but could not find substantial evidence to prove their guilt.

“The two appeared to be drunk even when leading religious ceremonies and they failed to deliver prayers correctly. The villagers were fed up with their behaviour,” Mr Supachai said.

“I also found whisky bottles at their temples several times but could not prove if they had drunk from them.”

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