Thai Court Sentences Former Monk Alongkot and ‘Mor Bee’ to 50 Years Each Over Temple Donations
Thai Court Sentences Former Monk Alongkot and ‘Mor Bee’ to 50 Years Each Over Temple Donations
A Thai court has sentenced former monk Alongkot and spiritual medium Seksan “Mor Bee” Sapsubbsakul to 50 years in prison each over the misappropriation of donations linked to Wat Phra Bat Namphu in Lop Buri and related money-laundering offences.
The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases handed down its ruling on October 7, with the court recording an aggregate sentence of 742 years for Alongkot and 386 years plus 1,480 months for Mor Bee across numerous criminal counts. However, Thailand’s Criminal Code limits the actual imprisonment term in such circumstances to 50 years.
The court also ordered the two defendants to jointly repay 306,026,143.50 baht to Wat Phra Bat Namphu, which was identified as the injured party.
According to the court ruling, Alongkot was convicted on 185 counts involving the misappropriation of property he was responsible for managing, as well as eight money-laundering counts. His testimony and conduct during the proceedings were considered useful to the court, resulting in a reduction of his sentences before the statutory maximum was applied.
Mor Bee was convicted as an accomplice in the property offences and also faced money-laundering convictions. His aggregate sentence was similarly reduced after the court considered his statements useful to the proceedings, before the 50-year statutory ceiling was applied.
Wat Phra Bat Namphu, where Alongkot formerly served as abbot, is located in Lop Buri and is known for its charitable work, including care for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The case involved allegations that donations made by members of the public to support the temple’s charitable activities and patients were diverted for improper purposes and subjected to money laundering.
The financial investigation has also involved a much larger pool of assets. Thai authorities previously seized or recovered assets valued at more than 10 billion baht, including hundreds of land title deeds covering thousands of rai and dozens of vehicles.
The October 7 ruling marks a major development in the high-profile investigation into the handling of donations associated with Wat Phra Bat Namphu.
