AYUTTHAYA – Two monks were arrested by police on Friday for inappropriate behaviour and possession of methamphetamine pills (yaba), alcoholic beverages, pornographic material and a pistol.
Police said Phra Suksawad Sutiyano (real name Suksawad Sawaengkar), 31, and Phra Ponsit Prapatoh (real name Ponsit Santatponlakarn), 42, were caught drinking beer and watching pornography in Wat Phra Ngam.
Officers also found three yaba pills and a pistol with two rounds at the monk's dwelling.
The monks said under questioning they took some methamphetamine before they started partying. They said local teenagers sold the drugs to them for 150 baht a pill.
Police raided Suksawad’s dormitory quarters after they have received complaints from both villagers and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) about the monks' misbehaviour.
Police said both monks would be expelled by Phra Kru Sukit Sungkagorn, abbot of Wat Phra Ngam, and then taken into custody for further investigation.
On Oct 18 in Chon Buri province, police raided a temple and arrested five monks having a party with alcohol, drugs and women in their living quarters.
Police seized drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine tablets, alcohol, pornography, knives and a gun.
All five monks were expelled from the temple and taken into custody by the police.