Thailand’s Former Buddhist Monk Receives 50-Year Sentence in £7M Scandal

Thailand's former monk jailed for 50 years over £7 million embezzlement from HIV hospice. Legal maximum sentences imposed on two men.

Editorial Desk

October 7, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Lopburi, Thailand — A former Buddhist monk in Thailand has been handed a 50-year prison sentence after being found guilty of misappropriating nearly £7 million in donations meant for a hospice serving HIV and AIDS patients.

Alongkot Poonmook, once known as Phra Ratcha Wisutthiprachanat, was the founder and abbot of the hospice at Wat Phra Bat Namphu temple in Lopburi province. He was removed from the monkhood in 2025 following his arrest alongside Seksan Sapsubbsakul, who managed fundraising efforts for the project.

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The court sentenced Alongkot to a total of 742 years in prison, but this was reduced to the legal maximum of 50 years. Seksan received more than 386 years, also reduced to the cap. Both were ordered to repay over 300 million baht (approximately $9 million or £7 million) to the hospice. The case has intensified scrutiny of financial practices at wealthy Buddhist temples in the country.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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