Ex-Buddhist monk who founded Thai Aids hospice convicted of embezzlement

A former Buddhist monk in Thailand was convicted on Wednesday of misusing donations to a highly praised hospice he established for people with HIV/Aids and given the maximum term of 50 years in prison.

Alongkot Poonmook, formerly known as Phra Ratcha Wisutthiprachanat, was forced to leave the monkhood after he was arrested last year along with an associate, Seksan Sapsubbsakul, who served as a fundraiser for the project.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases found both men guilty on multiple counts of embezzlement and money laundering.

Some Buddhist temples in Thailand are extremely wealthy because worshippers donate large amounts as a way of making religious merit, and the country has seen cases of senior monks being accused of misappropriating temple funds. The case has drawn widespread attention since questions about the handling of funds for the hospice emerged online and prompted an investigation.