Picture courtesy of CHANNEL8

 

A former foreign volunteer at Lopburi’s Phra Bat Nampu Temple claims her life was endangered after aiding AIDS patients. She alleges that improving patient health led to fewer donations, provoking a sinister backlash.

 

The temple, helmed by Abbot Alongkot Ponlamun, is under the spotlight. Instead of receiving praise for patient support, the temple is now facing allegations of fraud and mismanagement. Tensions rose when spiritual medium Bee "the Ghost Ambassador" was accused of stealing donations, triggering a wider investigation into the temple's dealings.

 

The investigation covers financial irregularities, dubious land ownership, and the management of donations, despite Bee's denial of any wrongdoing. The temple or its AIDS organisation intended to acquire the land with donated money, but the late manager's family now owns it. Donated items, meant for patients, were also found neglected.

 

These revelations sparked anger over how funds and resources were handled. The controversy gained traction after Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs highlighted a story from the Bangkok Post, sharing details from a former volunteer named Leslie.

 

Leslie began volunteering in 2003, performing medical duties and purchasing supplies with her funds. Under pressure from the temple, her team was stopped from administering medication sourced by Dr. Jurirat Bowornwattanawong, aiming to maintain patient health.

 

Eventually, Leslie and other volunteers were barred from the premises, with Leslie reporting threats, including damage to her motorcycle. She believed their work, which made patients healthier, reduced sympathy-driven donations.

 

Dr. Jurirat corroborated Leslie's story, noting coercion from Abbot Alongkot to pause medication for media appearances, which she refused, citing patient welfare concerns. She acknowledged her limited awareness, learning of the troubles only after volunteers left.

 

Abbot Alongkot has since resigned amidst intensifying scrutiny but remains liable for potential legal charges. The quest to uncover the temple's fiscal misdealing, including Bee's alleged embezzlement, is ongoing, with no legal outcomes yet finalised.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-21

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Tensions rose when spiritual medium Bee "the Ghost Ambassador" was accused of stealing donations, triggering a wider investigation into the temple's dealings.

What 

Obviously getting blamed for hindering peoples bank accounts getting bigger instead of the money going to good causes .

Who is Bee the ghost ambassador ???

IMHO the whole donations to temples thing is a financial cess  pit in Thailand. There must be some that are doing good works somewhere, but so many aren’t.

 

Then again, I feel the same thing about most religions. Perhaps they all started out with good intent, but a lot, if not most, are really just money grabbing multinational organizations with a facade of good works here and there.

 

Maybe I’m just cynical 

Is Thailand 's Buddhism a religion? or just worship to deities? back where I come from Singapore, people pray to get good luck. same like people here doing 'merit'  by donation. 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Leslie reporting threats, including damage to her motorcycle

Perhaps only gay men being treated. 

 

You simply cannot invent such sh1d - honestly

"Tensions rose when spiritual medium Bee "the Ghost Ambassador" was accused of stealing donations". 

I was also unaware of the fact, that abbots can resign once the heat is up 🤒

The "Sick Care" industry.

They only get paid if you're perpetually sick. 

 

Foreign Volunteer Claims Death Threats at Lopburi AIDS Temple.

 

Well if proven that they used money from Donations for Buying land and then later Claim and put that in the late manager's family name .

For sure that is Fraud and there are more allegations of fraud and mismanagement.

Of course some people will get upset about this  if they now that Their money is misused .

Death threats aren't bad if they don't get Followed up with the Act.

'Leslie began Volunteering in 2003'.That's a while.

"Don't smash my rice bowl"

The whole story seems a little bit confusing like they left many things out so you just have to play with your imagination to figure it out TIT

22 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr. Jurirat corroborated Leslie's story, noting coercion from Abbot Alongkot to pause medication for media appearances

 

I can only hope that there's a special place in hell for this abbot, if what is alleged here is true.

People should reserve judgement until more information comes out and things are clarified. I visited this temple and spoke with the abbot and patients many years ago. What he was doing at the time was clearly heroic. He helped and gave comfort and acceptance along with available treatment to thousands who were rejected by society and their families and turned into pariahs with nowhere to go. If things have gone off the rails in recent times, by all means, get to the bottom of it. Be honest. But I wish people would show some grace considering how much good this temple and its abbot have done.