On Friday afternoon, the Banglamung Administration Office received a report of 2 monks seen consuming marijuana with drug paraphernalia, near the Eucalyptus Farms by the Lake Mab-pra-chan Reservoir. The officials followed up on the information, and found the 2 monks high on Marijuana.  The 2 monks were Pra weerapon, aged 20 and Pra Anusorn, aged 29. They were apprehended with 2 bags of Marijuana weighing 10 grams plus drug taking gear. The duo had their Monk Umbrellas opened as well. Monks who are walking on a pilgrimage carry a complete set of camping equipment and a big umbrella, sometimes resting over their shoulder, which is used as a tent or shelter when the monk stops somewhere.

 The monks confessed that they had traveled from a temple in Loey province to pay respect to the Lord Buddha’s Footprint in Kitchagood Mountain. They then traveled further to participate in a Buddhist Ceremony, and stayed in a temple in Nongprue for 4-5 days.  After the ceremony, they felt like relaxing a bit, and happened to meet a man who offered them Marijuana.

The umbrella act was just a cover for their exploits, as they were not yet proceeding with their pilgrimage. The monks had decided to return back to Loey province when they were done staying in Nongprue and joining Buddhist ceremonies. The police took them to Nongprue’s Temple for the Head Monk of Nongprue to dismiss them from the monkhood, before taking them for legal proceedings.

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