The story mentioned below is not a story that happened in Cambodia. It is a story that happened in Thailand. However, it is also an experience that religious institutions in Cambodia, as well as social foundations, need to consider for transparency, especially in the management of funds.
According to an article published on a Thai news website, a famous Thai monk who initiated and runs an AIDS support fund program in Thailand has now been found by Thai authorities to be involved in a scandal involving tens of billions of baht.
The abbot Luang Pho Alongkok of Phra Paht Nam Phu Temple in Lopburi province has been arrested by Thai authorities after leading the temple and leaving behind a huge financial scandal.
The former abbot made his name in 1992 by running the temple as a shelter for people with AIDS during the early days of the epidemic in Thailand. At a time when discrimination was rampant and treatment was limited. At that time, the pagoda became a sacred place that attracted media attention across the country and received an overwhelming amount of donations. But on August 26, 2025, the 32-year mission came to an end.
The abbot was taken in by authorities and charged with money laundering along with several others involved.
Charoenkiat Pankaew, the police chief leading the investigation, called the scheme an “art of deception,” an elaborate show designed to deceive many patrons.
He said that this project was not a normal project run by a temple, but it had a structure that was managed in the form of a private company, with officials collecting and managing funds systematically through a network of channels, and the amount could reach tens of billions of baht over several years.
Thai police also discovered that the monk’s real name was Kriangkrai Phetkaew, but he stole the identity of a deceased school football teammate named Alongkot Polmuk, and not only that, but also used his parents’ names to open the fund account.
The former abbot was also found by authorities to have no degree, as he boasted that he had a degree from Kasetsart University, and no master’s degree in engineering from Australia. He admitted that he had not completed any professional training and that he had previously evaded military service in Malaysia for a while before returning to become a monk, originally planning to stay temporarily.
The foundation is managed as a company, but despite this, there is no management. However, authorities have found that funds have been diverted to buy modern houses, cars, and even helicopters.
Up until now, Buddhism in Cambodia It is similar to Thailand, and there are also some social work and conservation funds that are running. But what is hoped is that those involved in these projects will manage the funds properly, have income and expenditure reports. All projects, all activities, please promote and implement according to the program and have clear goals, under the correct orientation of the program.
Please do not take the religion that the people respect and value to change it into a way to make money for fun and entertainment, contrary to the rules and regulations, like what is happening in Thai society today.
