Fund scandal sours legacy of once-renowned abbot

Shadow cast over Wat Phrabat Nam Phu’s work to help Aids and HIV sufferers, writes Jutamas Tadthiemrom

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Phra Alongkot Tikkapanyo started caring for HIV/Aids patients when no one else did.

Wat Phrabat Nam Phu, in Thailand’s Lop Buri province, has been a sanctuary for HIV/Aids patients since the day they were sidelined and looked down upon by society.

Today, the long-serving abbot of Wat Phrabat Nam Phu is facing a high-profile embezzlement case tied to donations at the HIV/Aids sanctuary he founded and has led for 33 years.

The donation embezzlement involves Seksan Sapsubbsakul — known as “Bee”, a fortune teller and former fundraising assistant of Wat Phrabat Nam Phu, where investigators have uncovered extensive evidence of corruption allegedly involving Mr Seksan and donors nationwide.

Kerdpol Kaewkerd, a former lawyer for the temple, told the police that the temple was not involved in the alleged misuse of donations, but added that only Mr Seksan and Phra Alongkot can clarify the matter.

Mr Kerdpol also said Phra Alongkot admitted he had approved some projects without a thorough review because of his trust in Mr Seksan.

However, Phra Alongkot insisted he warned Mr Seksan not to open a bank account under the temple name.