Thamkrabok Monastery is home to arguably one of the toughest and most successful drug detoxification centres in the world.
Since 1959 over 100,000 patients, including many Westerners, have been treated by the Buddhist monks who run the centre north of Bangkok. 80% of the Thai patients are addicted to Ya Ba whilst most Westerners hope to get clean from heroin or methadone.
After taking a sacred vow or ‘Satja’ never to touch drugs again, the patients are given a secret concoction of 108 herbs that to help purge their bodies of toxins.
Thamkrabok offers no miracle fix but its unique approach has been a lifesaver for the many addicts who consider the monastery as their last resort.