A monk was booted out of Kandal province’s Kandal Stung district yesterday after he was spotted boozing with the villagers.

Though not defrocked, Long Dara, a 36-year-old monk from Por Udom pagoda in Prey Veng province, was told to move on by senior monks in Kandal Stung after villagers reported he had been drinking wine with locals.

“I told him that villagers saw him drinking wine and he confessed, so we let him go because he disrespected Buddhist rules,” said Eam San, chief of monks in Kandal Stung district.

“His behaviour affects monks’ reputation and religion, so he can’t come into our district.”

District official Saing Sarim said he couldn’t find any documents certifying Dara as a real monk, though Houy Hok, chief monk at Por Udom pagoda, vouched for Dara, who often fundraised to support pagoda building, he said.

“Actually, he stayed at this pagoda and never caused any problem,” Hok said.

“I don’t know if he drinks or not.”