TARA - Thamkrabok Assistance and Recovery Advice
Background to TARA Detox

Vince Cullen is the Webmaster for the official monastery website at www.thamkrabok-monastery.org; and the 'Thamkrabok Monastery Independent Information Network' websites (www.thamkrabok.net  / www.thamkrabok.info); and also the Alba-Thai Scotland website (www.alba-thai.org). He has been associated with the Thamkrabok Monastery in Thailand since 1998 when he first visited the Thamkrabok Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in his then role as Chairman of the UK charity East-West Detox.

Vince left East-West Detox in November 2002 to pursue a more personal relationship with the Thamkrabok Monastery and indeed with Buddhism.

In February 2003, Vince ordained for 29 days as a novice monk and spent much of that time working with drug addicts and alcoholics in ‘The Hey’, the Monastery's treatment compound. At that time, the Abbot of Thamkrabok  (Luangpor Charoen Parnchand) suggested that Vince should help prepare addicts for their journey and treatment at Thamkrabok.  This is why the 'Thamkrabok Monastery Independent Information Network' was instigated; to help and prepare those truly seeking an end to their addictions for their journey and treatment.  The website contains directions to Thamkrabok Monastery as well as links to private organisations that can facilitate travel and detoxification at Thamkrabok.

Vince has escorted drug addicts from the UK to Thailand on three separate occasions (and helped with arrangements for many others to make that same journey). Two ex-addicts are now working in the community providing valuable services for other addicts. The other ex-addict has successfully trained as a psychiatric nurse. Addicts helping addicts, as it were.

At the same time as uploading the first pages of the 'Thamkrabok Monastery Independent Information Network' website, Vince established TARA Detox

TARA Detox offers a low-cost service to help drug addicts and alcoholics access the unique detoxification treatment  provided by the monks at Thamkrabok Monastery.  

In August 2005, Vince created the Friends of Thamkrabok Monastery online support group.

In March 2006, Vince again ordained as a Thamkrabok monk for 32 days to join the annual Tudong

“We are not a charity so we cannot provide a no-cost service, but we do strive to provide a low-cost alternative.”

---ooOoo---

Clean Body With Herbs... Clean Mind With Sajja