Half a dozen monks remained hospitalised in Banteay Meanchey yesterday after falling ill on Tuesday following an energy drink-fuelled snacking session.

At about 9pm on Tuesday, a group of 15 monks and one student in a pagoda in Preah Netr Preah district’s Phnom Leap commune began to experience severe headaches, said commune chief Chuoy Keangthoung.

“They drank the [Thai energy drink] M-150 and chewed gum,” he said, adding that some had a minty candy instead of gum.

While the commune chief offered up the full litany of snacks, his district counterpart, Ly Sovanarith, pointed out that one of those who fell ill had only had the energy drink.

Sovanarith said that as of yesterday evening, nine monks and the boy had recovered while six were still receiving treatment at the district referral hospital. Two of the six hospitalised had recovered, but went back to hospital after becoming sick again.

“One monk fainted when he was admitted to the district hospital,” he said, adding that doctors couldn’t conclude what caused the sickness and that the products weren’t expired.