“As a community leader, I was frightened because I never thought the monks would be addicted to drugs,” stated Sungyut Namburi, the village headman. “I never thought that drugs would spread to temples.”
Monks are revered figures in Thai tradition; in Bangkok’s metro system, seats are reserved for them alongside pregnant and aged people. Particularly in rural areas exterior of Bangkok, monks are trusted advisers, usually serving as counselors and function fashions to the group.
So it was a lot to Sungyut’s shock that every one 4 monks in a single small temple examined optimistic for methamphetamine use when he and the sheriff paid a go to to the monastery Friday. At one other small temple, two monks examined optimistic, he stated.
But the writing was on the wall: The monks’ character and conduct gave them away as drug customers, Sungyut stated. Some villagers had tipped him off, telling him to examine on temples in the neighborhood.
Even the abbot — the top of the monastery, who had served as a monk for 10 years — was discovered to be utilizing medication. “When I inspected the abbot’s shelter, I was stunned because it was a mess,” Sungyut stated. After the drug exams got here again optimistic, he stated, the monks confessed to utilizing medication. Some of them admitted to being longtime addicts.
The scandal in Phetchabun province comes amid a nationwide crackdown on medication following a mass killing at a day-care heart in October that left 38 lifeless, most of them youngsters. The suspect, an ex-police officer, was reported to have been dismissed from the power for methamphetamine possession.
Niti Rungjaruenkij, head of the subdistrict’s administration, stated the drug customers in the neighborhood — together with the ex-monks — have been enrolled in rehabilitation Wednesday. Sungyut famous that the monks needed to go away the monkhood first, as having a monk in rehab could be “inappropriate,” he stated. After they’re clear from medication, he stated, they will grow to be a monk once more in the event that they select to take action.
But for now, “the temple is empty” with out the monks, Sungyut stated. He and the sheriff have mentioned inviting a “good monk” from elsewhere to fill in. A couple of monks who heard in regards to the scandal had additionally provided to remain on the temple to assist the group within the interim, he stated.
At first, the revelations shocked the group, Sungyut stated, inflicting him to worry that individuals might lose religion. “It was very difficult for villagers” once they discovered of the monks’ transgressions, he stated, however they later thanked him for his efforts.
After all, “they are misbehaving monks,” he stated, “and they should leave the monkhood if they can’t follow and practice the disciplines.”
Pietsch reported from Seoul.
