At around 1:50pm, officers from Patong Police Station were patrolling 50 Pi Rd following reports from local residents.
They stopped a white Toyota Hilux Vigo pickup truck, registered in Chanthaburi, which was being driven by a monk later identified as Phra Bandit Sairat.
Police said they detected the smell of alcohol on the monk and conducted a breathalyser test, which showed an alcohol level of 134 milligrams percent (BAC 0.134) ‒ well above the legal limit.
When questioned, the monk admitted to consuming a “herbal liquor” before driving.
Officers escorted Phra Bandit to Wat Patong, where he was officially disrobed by the abbot. He was then taken to Patong Police Station for legal proceedings.