Tainted Funds Mar the Reputation of Previously Respected Abbot
Phra Alongkot Tikkapanyo: A Controversial Figure in Thailand's HIV/AIDS Care
Phra Alongkot Tikkapanyo, a Thai Buddhist monk, has been a significant figure in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Thailand. Born in Ratchaburi, he pursued his education in Thailand and Australia, earning a master's degree in mechanical engineering before his ordination in 1979.
In 1988, Phra Alongkot took up residence at Wat Phrabat Nam Phu in Lop Buri, a temple that would later become a sanctuary for HIV/AIDS patients. At the time, the temple had no abbot. His humanitarian work began in 1992, when he started providing food, shelter, and education to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs), a time when such efforts were controversial.
Phra Alongkot's work at Wat Phrabat Nam Phu earned him recognition from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2019 for his commitment to the health, economic, social, and cultural rights of PLHAs. The temple became a well-known shelter for marginalized patients, attracting attention and donations nationwide.
Achievements
Phra Alongkot's efforts led to the establishment of a hospice and sanctuary for HIV/AIDS patients. He advocated for their human rights, education, and social inclusion, providing an early model of compassionate care in Thailand when official healthcare support and treatment options were limited.
The temple, covering almost 3,000 rai, includes a clinic, a school, and a museum. Wat Phrabat Nam Phu currently looks after over 150 HIV/AIDS patients and over a thousand orphans. The temple is open to the general public, with over 100,000 people visiting it every year to observe its mission.
Current Embezzlement Controversy
However, Phra Alongkot's reputation has been tarnished by a high-profile embezzlement case. In 2025, he came under scrutiny for alleged financial irregularities related to the temple’s funds. He resigned as abbot amid controversy over the handling of public donations and accusations of mismanagement.
Investigations revealed financial records with Phra Alongkot's signature, and he admitted possible excessive trust in a former assistant involved in the fraud. Criticisms resurfaced that the temple may have deliberately kept patients in poor conditions to elicit sympathy and drive donations.
The display of mummified corpses of deceased patients was also condemned as exploitative. Some former staff claimed resistance to offering modern antiretroviral (ARV) treatments at the temple. The scandal severely damaged public confidence and resulted in a sharp decline in donations, overshadowing his earlier reputation as a compassionate caregiver.
In summary, Phra Alongkot Tikkapanyo was once celebrated as a humanitarian pioneer for HIV/AIDS hospice care in Thailand but now faces serious allegations of financial mismanagement and ethical misconduct linked to his temple’s operations. The controversy highlights a complex legacy of both dedicated social service and problematic administration.
[1] BBC News, "Thai Monk Phra Alongkot Faces Embezzlement Allegations," BBC, 15 Feb 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56094145 [2] The Nation, "Phra Alongkot Steps Down Amid Embezzlement Allegations," The Nation, 15 Feb 2025, www.nationthailand.com/news/30403151 [3] The Guardian, "Thai Monk Phra Alongkot Honoured for HIV/AIDS Work," The Guardian, 15 Jan 2019, www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/15/thai-monk-phra-alongkot-honoured-for-hivaids-work
