{
  "id": 8688812,
  "title": "Surin abbot, monk disrobed after positive drug tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/surin-abbot-monk-disrobed-after-positive-drug-tests",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T03:53:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Thaiger",
    "slug": "the-thaiger",
    "url": "https://thethaiger.com/news/national/surin-abbot-monk-disrobed-positive-drug-tests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two monks, including the abbot, were disrobed from their positions at Wat Ban Chang Pi temple in Surin after positive drug test results emerged on September 18. The disrobing followed complaints about suspected drug activity at the temple, prompting officials, police, and local administrators to inspect the premises. Ten monks were tested during the operation, with two testing positive for drugs and the remaining eight testing negative. The abbot, previously regarded as a good person and committed Buddhist practitioner, faced shock and disappointment from residents who could not have imagined such behavior from someone so well-respected.",
  "summary": "An abbot and another monk at a temple in Surin were disrobed after urine tests found traces of drugs on September 18, following complaints about suspected drug activity at the temple. Officials in Sikhoraphum district joined police and local administrators in inspecting Wat Ban Chang Pi in Chang Pi subdistrict after receiving complaints that people … The story Surin abbot, monk disrobed after…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}