Lopburi: A Ministry of Public Health team inspected a medical cannabis production facility in Lop Buri Province following news reports linking it to Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu. The facility was found to be a closed system, producing only for export, with no easy entry or exit.
According to Thai News Agency, Colonel Thanakrit Jit-areerat, Secretary to the Minister of Public Health, and his team visited a medical cannabis production facility in Lopburi Province. The facility is listed as legitimate. He stated that the visit stemmed from concerns about possible ties to Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu. He stated that the team was conducting a site inspection to determine whether the facility complied with ministerial regulations and whether it was connected to Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu, as some suspected. Initial findings indicate that the factory is a closed-loop facility with no easy access. The facility has been licensed by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTM), as required. The facility is produced solely for export and is supplied to factories producing medicines. The facility is highly secure, with clear CCTV footage. He suggested raising the fence to better conceal the view. The inspection revealed that the facility remains safe, and no other violations have been fou nd. The rental fee was not reviewed, only the required documents submitted to the DTM.
The company manager revealed that the owner rented part of Jai Fah Farm's land to set up a factory, only renting the area that was fenced off. He confirmed that the company was established and produced in compliance with Ministry of Public Health regulations, and that it processed medical cannabis for export. He did not personally know Luang Por Alongkot and could only speak within his area of responsibility. He was able to answer any questions regarding cannabis and confirmed that cannabis remains beneficial for some patients in the treatment of their illnesses, and he was confident that he had acted correctly. However, he could not comment on other matters due to lack of information. If he is ordered to leave the area in the future, he will comply.
Colonel Thanakrit also revealed that he met privately with Luang Por Alongkot today. During their discussion, Luang Por Alongkot expressed slight concerns about patient care. He explained that the Department of Health deemed the Dhammasangwet Building, which contained corpses, unsanitary, as patients harbored pathogens and could potentially spread disease. He advised that the corpses be cremated. He added that if the corpses were to be kept for study, the provincial public health office should be contacted to determine how to proceed. Regarding the hospice, a doctor should not be present. Luang Por explained that doctors occasionally visit, and he stated that this is not practical. If a doctor is needed, a clinic would be required. Regarding the area caring for HIV patients, he recommended that they be registered as a nursing home in accordance with regulations.
Regarding the Mettadham Building, it is assumed it was previously used as a medical facility, as some equipment indicates it was. This could be considered a violation of criminal law. The provincial public health office, in conjunction with the Department of Health Service Support, will investigate and file a complaint with the temple. The monk confirmed that he will continue to assist the public, but improvements must be made and reviewed by the working group. No charges have been filed in the legal proceedings, although the monk has resigned and is no longer legally abbot. The subdistrict abbot will be responsible for managing the building. As a temple novice, the monk may be involved in providing advice.