According to the Bangkok Post, Thai police arrested the former abbot of the well-known AIDS hospice temple, Wat Phrabatnampu, named Luang Por Alongko, in the early hours of Tuesday, alleging his involvement in embezzlement of temple funds and multiple counts of money laundering.
Police Major General Wittaya, commander of the Thai Crime Suppression Division, stated that police arrested the 65-year-old Luang Por Alongko at around 1 a.m. at the temple in Lopburi Province. Investigators found him suspiciously preparing to leave the temple and immediately detained him, escorting him to Bangkok for questioning.
The Central Criminal Court (Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases) had already issued an arrest warrant last Friday, charging him with embezzlement of temple funds, misconduct, and money laundering. Since monks are legally considered public officials, he is also facing charges of misconduct in office.
Meanwhile, the police also arrested 43-year-old internet celebrity Seksan (Seksan “Mor Bee” Sapsubbsakul), alleging that he had assisted the temple in raising charitable funds. The police then took him to several locations to conduct searches and collect further evidence.
Sources state that during this large-scale operation, police raided a total of 17 locations in Bangkok and Lopburi.
The investigation into Luang Por Alongko stems from public questioning over his identity and educational background, as well as scrutiny over the use of Wat Phrabatnampu's donation funds over the past 30 years. This includes opening accounts to receive donations using identification numbers of deceased individuals, and the temple's practices in caring for AIDS patients—matters that have all prompted in-depth police investigation.