Buddhist monk arrested for 'selling ketamine' from temple in Thailand
A Buddhist monk was arrested for selling ketamine from a temple in Thailand.
Veerapat Sawatsing and his drug courier, Teeraphong Sornchanwong, were apprehended at a temple on Na Kluea Road in Pattaya, Thailand, on August 30.
Banglamung Police Station launched an investigation after receiving a complaint about a monk selling drugs.
The investigation revealed that a monk known as ‘Luang Phi Moss' was selling ketamine to clients, leading officers to send an undercover agent in a sting operation.
The undercover officer contacted Veerapat through the Instagram account ‘Veerapat Moss'.
They agreed to purchase ketamine for 300 baht before the money was transferred.
After receiving the money, Veerapat told the officer to collect the drugs from a monk's quarters near a sala.
During the arrest operation, officers surrounded the meeting spot.
After the undercover agent received the item, he signalled for officers to apprehend Veerapat and Teeraphong.
During the search, officers found 0.03 ounces (0.87 grammes) of crystalline ketamine in a plastic bag and another 0.02 ounces (0.64 grammes) in a separate bag.
They also seized the 300 baht in cash used in the undercover purchase.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Yongyuth Wannuea of Banglamung Police Station said: ‘The case was launched after residents filed a complaint about suspicious behaviour inside a temple, reporting that a monk was selling drugs and using a temple boy to help deliver them to customers.
‘We launched an investigation and gathered information before planning a sting operation, leading to the arrest of those involved and the seizure of evidence.
‘We handed the suspects and seized items to an inquiry officer at Pattaya City Police Station for further legal action.'
Buddhism is the dominant religion in Thailand, where the majority of the population identifies as Theravada Buddhist.
Monks are expected to follow strict religious rules, including abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and sex which are considered incompatible with monastic life.
However, Thailand's Buddhist clergy has faced a number of scandals in recent years involving sex and drug scandals, and alleged misconduct, sparking scrutiny of discipline within the religious establishment.
