A third of Buddhist monks test positive for meth when temple is raided in Thailand

A third of Buddhist monks tested positive for meth during a surprise raid at a temple in northern Thailand.

Six of 18 clergymen were kicked out of the monkhood after failing drug tests at the Wat Prathom temple in Phichit Province on Monday.

Thirty cops stormed the place of worship as the monks were observing the annual Buddhist 'Rains Retreat'. They found meth pills hidden in the monks' quarters, as well as numerous drug consumption paraphernalia, a homemade gun, and a number of bullets.

Deputy Phichit Governor Kitipon Wetchakul who led the raid said: 'The six monks found positive for drugs were immediately disrobed and sent for rehabilitation. The operation was carried out simultaneously in various temples across 12 districts of the province.'