Pattaya —
A monk in Pattaya was arrested on Thursday night, April 4th, for selling illegal drugs. The man claimed he had a ‘ghost child guardian’ who warned him it was a police trap, but he ignored the warning, resulting in his arrest.
Pattaya police received information that Luang Phi Thong, or Ajarn Thong, a monk from a temple in the Banglamung district, Chonburi province, was secretly selling illegal drugs to teenagers at night. They therefore planned an undercover operation, sending an undercover agent with 500 baht to buy 10 methamphetamine pills from the monk. The agent agreed to meet with the monk behind the crematorium of the temple.
When the time came, Luang Phi Thong came out of his monk’s quarters and handed 10 methamphetamine pills to the agent. As soon as the transaction was completed, the police who were hiding around the temple revealed themselves and arrested the monk immediately.
Police searched Luang Phi Thong’s robe and found the cash used for the sting operation. In his right hand, he was holding the phone used to arrange the drug deal, and in his left hand, he was holding a blue zip-lock bag containing 115 methamphetamine pills and 17.07 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
The police then searched Luang Phi Thong’s monk cubicle and found drug paraphernalia, a digital scale, and a notebook containing the names of customers.
The monk was then taken to the assembly hall for the abbot to expel him from the monkhood. The police then took him to the Banglamung Police Station.
According to police, Luang Phi Thong’s real name was Mr. Nares (surname withheld), a 33-year-old resident of Chonburi province. He reportedly confessed that he had been ordained as a monk at the temple for about two years. During the night, he had nothing to do, so he would use drugs himself and sell some to his acquaintances. During the day, he would act as a normal monk.
During his statement, Mr. Nares also claimed that he had a “Kuman Thong” (spirit child) named Ai Long, which he had raised since he was a child. He said this ghost guardian appeared and whispered in his ear, “Father, don’t go out!” twice. There were also dogs howling, but he completely ignored both the warning and the howling and went down to hand over the drugs to the agent. He was then arrested.
The police charged Mr. Nares with drug offenses. They made no comments about the suspect’s supernatural claims.
