FORMER BUDDHIST MONK SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS IN THAILAND DONATION FRAUD CASE INVOLVING AIDS HOSPICE

Alongkot Poonmook, previously known as Phra Ratcha Wisutthiprachanat, was convicted alongside fundraiser Seksan Sapsubbsakul in a case involving donations to the hospice at Wat Phra Bat Namphu temple in central Thailand.

A Charity Once Praised for Its Humanitarian Mission

Alongkot established the hospice in 1992, when access to treatment and support for people living with HIV/AIDS was far more limited than it is today. The project became known for caring for people facing serious illness and social stigma.

Over time, the organization expanded its services to support people with other serious medical conditions. The temple also operated charitable programs, including financial assistance for children from disadvantaged families.

How the Donation Scandal Emerged

Questions about how the hospice’s money was being managed became public and prompted an investigation. Authorities later arrested Alongkot and Seksan in 2025 as investigators examined the handling of charitable funds.

The case drew widespread attention in Thailand, where religious donations play an important role in supporting temples and charitable projects. The allegations raised concerns about the safeguards used to protect money given by worshippers and donors for humanitarian purposes.

The Court Delivers Maximum Sentences

On October 7, 2026, Thailand’s Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found both men guilty of multiple counts of embezzlement and money laundering.

Alongkot received a cumulative sentence of 742 years, while Seksan’s cumulative sentence exceeded 386 years. Under Thailand’s legal limit for the case, both sentences were reduced to a maximum of 50 years in prison.

The court also ordered the defendants to return more than 300 million baht, equivalent to approximately $9 million, to the hospice.

The Former Monk Was Removed from the Monkhood

Alongkot was forced to leave the monkhood following his arrest last year. His fall from a respected religious figure to a defendant in a major financial-crime case has damaged the reputation of the institution he helped build.

The case has also renewed public discussion about accountability in religious organizations and the need for transparent financial management when donations are collected for vulnerable people.

What the Case Means for the Hospice

The hospice was originally established to support people who were often marginalized because of their HIV status. Although medical advances have changed the way HIV is treated, the institution continued to provide services to people facing serious illnesses and hardship.

The court’s order to return the money represents an important step toward recovering funds for the charity. However, the scandal has left questions about how the organization will rebuild public trust and ensure that future donations reach the people they are meant to help.

The case serves as a reminder that charitable reputations do not replace the need for independent oversight. Donors, beneficiaries and the wider public depend on transparent systems to ensure that money given for humanitarian purposes is used as intended.

Source: The Associated Press, October 7, 2026.