The abbot of a popular temple in Surat Thani is under a monastic investigation after he was found to have been drunk while driving his pickup truck, which skidded off the road late on Tuesday night.

Police said Phrakhru Paowana Santikhun, abbot of Wat Santi Maitri in tambon Khun Thalae in Muang district of Surat Thani, was found drunk inside his pickup truck after it skidded off Naibang road in tambon Bang Sai about 10pm on Tuesday.

After police and residents pulled the pickup out of the roadside ditch, the drunk monk tried to drive off. Police and local people stopped the vehicle.

Empty beer cans and a monk’s alms bowl were found inside the pickup truck. Police later released the abbot to Phrathamvimolmolee, chief monk of monastic region 16, for a monastic investigation.

A panel of monks on Wednesday met to discuss what action would be taken against the drunk abbot. No reporters were allowed at the meeting.

Wat Santi Maitri, run by the Maha Nikaya sect, is well-known for meditation. Buddhists flock to the temple to learn and practice meditation every year.