DRUG RAID ON TEMPLE

A SENIOR and 23 novices at a Buddhist monastery near Bangkok have been put
on probation after testing positive for drug use in a raid. Thai officials
said the raid on the Saneha temple in Nakorn Prathom province, about 60
kilometres southwest of Bangkok, shows that drug use at temples has spread
at an alarming rate.

Temple representative Phra Chote Thamathorn said urine tests found traces
of methamphetamines in 23 novices and one monk among 140 at the temple.

He said the monks found to be taking drugs were put on police probation and
that some of them admitted to dealing drugs.

Buddhist monks take vows of celibacy and modest living.

But a string of scandals involving sex, criminal activity and the narcotics
trade has tarnished the monkhood's reputation in Thailand.