Six Thai monks defrocked for drug and alcohol parties

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041024/323/f578c.html

BANGKOK (AFP) - A group of Thai Buddhist monks has been arrested and defrocked after holding a spate of rowdy drug and alcohol parties, police said.

The group of six monks at a temple in Ratchaburi west of Bangkok was arrested Friday night after local villagers complained about their wild behaviour and drug-taking, said Police Major Annop Nuamnaka.

"Villagers are fed up with the monks at this temple as they always make loud noise when they drink and take pills," Annop told AFP.

He said five of the saffron-robed monks had tested positive to amphetamine pills called "yaa baa" (which means "crazy drug" in Thai) while the sixth was drunk.

The monks were defrocked by the temple's head monk following their arrests, said police.

Monks are expected to refrain from drinking alcohol or taking strong stimulants, and are revered in Thailand, which is 95 percent Buddhist.