• Luang Phor Alongkot, former abbot of the AIDS hospice, arrested for embezzlement.
• He faces charges of money laundering and malfeasance related to temple funds.
• Influencer Seksan Sapsubbsakul, who aided in fundraising, also detained.
• The investigation revealed potential misuse of over 300 million baht in donations.
• Alongkot cooperated with police, resigning amid growing suspicions about fund management.

In a significant development, Luang Phor Alongkot, the former abbot of Wat Phrabatnampu, was arrested early Tuesday morning in Lop Buri for alleged embezzlement, money laundering, and malfeasance. This comes as a part of investigations into donations intended for an AIDS hospice he founded in 1992, which has also been accused of mismanagement, according to Bangkok Post and LA Times.

Under scrutiny, Alongkot was taken into custody after police conducted raids at 17 locations, including the temple, which also resulted in the arrest of influencer Seksan Sapsubbsakul. He allegedly helped raise funds for the hospice, and police are investigating him for the misuse of approximately 300 million baht raised over years, as reported by BBC and Bangkok Post.

Alongkot, 65, resigned as abbot last week amid rumors of the alleged misuse of funds, and upon his arrest, he cooperated willingly, disrobing as required under Thai law for monks facing charges. Deputy commissioner Jaroonkiat Pankaew highlighted that Alongkot acknowledged the pending issues regarding donations for HIV/AIDS care, according to LA Times and BBC.

The probe into Alongkot's activities indicates the ongoing challenges within Thailand's Buddhist institutions, with increasing public scrutiny over the conduct of monks. The issue of financial irregularities among monks has brought significant media attention, further complicating the public perception of religious leaders, as noted in BBC and LA Times.