11 August 1975

Monk honoured for healing drug addicts

A former policeman turned Buddhist monk, who cured drug addicts at his temple, was one of five winners of the annual Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service.

Phra Charoon Parnchandara, a former undercover agent, started his treatment programme in 1958 at Wat Tham Krabok, or ‘Temple of the Bam-boo Cave’ in Saraburi, about 100 miles north of Bangkok. Phra Charoon treated over 20,000 Thais and 1,600 Laotians for drug addiction using emetic purges and herbal steam baths. He received the award at the temple in September.

11 August 1975

Monk honoured for healing drug addicts

A former policeman turned Buddhist monk, who cured drug addicts at his temple, was one of five winners of the annual Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service.

Phra Charoon Parnchandara, a former undercover agent, started his treatment programme in 1958 at Wat Tham Krabok, or ‘Temple of the Bam-boo Cave’ in Saraburi, about 100 miles north of Bangkok. Phra Charoon treated over 20,000 Thais and 1,600 Laotians for drug addiction using emetic purges and herbal steam baths. He received the award at the temple in September.