Thai Monks Might Take Urine Tests

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- Thailand's Ministry of Education wants men
applying to become Buddhist monks to submit to urine tests for drug
use and the virus that causes AIDS, a ministry spokesman said Friday.

More than 60 complaints have been filed with Thai police in the past
two years involving drug abuse at Buddhist temples, the spokesman said.

Amphetamine abuse is soaring in Thailand. The country is also the
epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in Southeast Asia.

Traditionally, almost all Thai Buddhist men become a monk for a brief
period at some point during their lives to make religious merit.

Education Minister Akhom Engchuan has asked the Religious Affairs
Department, which the ministry controls, to study the proposal before
submitting the recommendation to the Sangha Supreme Council.

The council, made up of the education minister and the country's top
Buddhist monks, oversees policies pertaining to Buddhism and temple
management.

Under the plan the abbot of each temple will be held responsible for
making sure that those who wish to become monks must obtain the
required medical documents.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry