6 Aug 1998

Abbot accuses narcotics gangs

Closure will benefit traffickers, he says

Anjira Assavanonda The Bangkok Post

Influential figures have launched a campaign to force the closure of Wat Tham Krabok, according to the abbot.

Drugs traffickers would have a bigger market if the temple, which treats addicts, was forced to close, said Phra Chamroon Pancha.

Wat Tham Krabok, in Saraburi, came under scrutiny after official sources made press allegations that some of the 20,000 Hmong residents were trading in amphetamines.

Phra Chamroon said he had substantial information about the drugs trade but the authorities had shown no interest.

All the Hmong had come from the North for detoxification and rehabilitation, he said, and none was engaged in the Lao resistance. "If there are any resistance members, police can come and take them to a refugee camp," he said.

The Hmong population at Wat Tham Krabok is rising even though admissions were halted in 1996. Phra Chamroon said the 20,000 Hmong had established a community in the wat plot near the monks' quarters and the drug treatment centre.

They comprise four groups of 100-200 families each, with four leaders. These people earn a livings from sewing, iron work, and silver work passed from generation to generation. Some of their work was sent for sale outside. Their income ranged from 100 to 300 baht a day.

Phra Chamroon insisted the monks and wat committee kept a close watch on the Hmong and he denied there was rampant drug abuse or trading as alleged.

Hmong have to ask for permission from the monks before leaving, and strangers passing through must be screened by monks or volunteers.

"There are about 10-20 volunteers on guard duty every day," he said. "It's too risky for drug dealers to enter the wat or the Hmong community. If they are caught, they will be sent to the police."

Monks are prohibited from entering the community to prevent any scandals. Many drug gangs, he said, wait at the provincial bus terminal to prey on addicts on their way to Wat Tham Krabok.

Addicts had been told the wat had been closed temporarily, and then convinced to buy drugs from these gangs. Phra Chamroon said sources of drugs are in Saraburi and Lop Buri, but the Hmong at Wat Tham Krabok are not involved.

Even addicts treated at the wat are screened and kept under close watch by monks. The treatment course lasts 30 days. Relatives are asked to pay at least 4,000 baht, which is kept by the monks and disbursed as coupons of about 140-150 baht a day. Before leaving the temple, addicts have to swear they will not use drugs again. Most of the addicts at the wat are Thai.

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