Thais were shocked by revelations that Phra Alongkot Tikkhapanyo – once celebrated for his pioneering work with AIDS patients – was in fact an imposter accused of masterminding a multi-billion-baht scam at his temple.
Investigations revealed that he falsified his educational background and assumed another man’s identity to gain ordination in 1986, prompting speculation over whether this was driven by a childhood fantasy, an identity crisis or other motives.
Alongkot resigned as abbot of Lop Buri’s Phra Bat Nam Phu Temple on August 19, when concerns were first raised about financial irregularities, mismanagement of public donations and questionable land acquisitions.
A week later, on August 26, he was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau on charges of embezzlement, dereliction of duty and money laundering.
His close aide and fundraising partner, the self-proclaimed psychic Seksan “Mor Bee” Sapsubbsakul, was also arrested for conspiring in the alleged fraud.
Beyond these charges, the former abbot faces a barrage of exposés about how he raised vast sums from donors under the banner of providing a final refuge for AIDS patients.
The temple currently cares for around 200 patients, down from more than 2,000 at its peak two decades ago. Thanks to the arrival of affordable antiretroviral therapy in the 2000s, most people living with HIV in Thailand today lead long, healthy lives.
Police investigators, meanwhile, suspect that as many as 30 individuals may be implicated in the scheme. Millions of baht in donations were reportedly channelled through five foundations linked to Phra Alongkot and his aides.
Seksan alone is suspected of siphoning off some 300 million baht in donations, much of which was allegedly used to purchase land, luxury cars and property for individuals close to the former monk.
Identity theft
The former abbot was born Krai Phetkaew on February 6, 1960, in the Northeast province of Khon Kaen, and changed his name to Kriangkrai in 1984.
He studied up to Grade 9 at a local school before enrolling in a vocational college in Phitsanulok. A college executive confirmed that Krai had failed to graduate.
Military records show he postponed conscription at age 20, but there is no evidence he was ever drafted. In 1986, when he was ordained at Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu in Lop Buri, he identified himself as “Alongkot Polamuk” – the name of a former Khon Kaen schoolmate who worked for the Royal Irrigation Department and died in 2023.
“Impressive” background
At the height of his popularity, the former monk was widely believed to have an impressive academic record.
He claimed a bachelor’s in engineering from Kasetsart University and a master’s in the same field from the Australian National University. His credentials were prominently displayed on the temple’s website, which is now offline.
He also received several honorary doctorates, including from Thammasat, Ramkhamhaeng and Prince of Songkla University, in recognition of his work with AIDS patients.
In an article titled “God of AIDS”, the former abbot recounted a troubled past as a drinker involved in accidents while working at the Agriculture Ministry.
He said he entered monkhood after seeing his mother cry. This article was later included in a book published on Children’s Day in 1994.
However, in mid-August, the former monk admitted he never held any engineering degrees and attributed the fabrications to mental trauma and head injuries sustained in a road accident during his years as a heavy drinker.
Rise and fall of the AIDS hospice
Alongkot was appointed abbot of Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu in 1988 and set up an AIDS hospice within its grounds four years later. At the time, this was seen as controversial, as many questioned whether a temple should raise funds and build facilities for AIDS patients.
However, his work struck a chord and donations began pouring in from Thailand and abroad. The hospice drew many foreign medical volunteers and more than 100,000 visitors a year.
Alongkot himself was seen begging for donations in public places across the country, with businesses and philanthropists giving generously.
Over time, however, concerns grew about how the vast sums collected in donations were being managed.
Critics pointed to shortages of food and medicine despite the millions raised and questioned how a modest rural temple had expanded into an empire covering some 3,000 rai (480 hectares) of land.
