Former monk sentenced to 742 years, psychic doctor 386 years

BANGKOK — 7 October 2026, A Thai court has sentenced former monk Alongkot to a combined 742 years in prison and Bee, a self-proclaimed spiritual medium, to 386 years and 1,480 months in a case involving the alleged embezzlement and laundering of more than 10 billion baht in donations linked to Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases handed down the sentences on 7 October.

However, the court limited the actual imprisonment for Bee to the maximum 50 years allowed by law, citing the usefulness of his testimony. The two were also ordered to jointly return more than 300 million baht.

The case began after Crime Suppression Division police arrested the former monk and Bee over alleged corruption involving donations to Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu and money laundering.

Alongkot was charged with, among other offenses, abusing his position to misappropriate property, performing or failing to perform official duties unlawfully, and jointly laundering money.

Bee was charged with supporting the alleged misappropriation by an official, supporting the unlawful performance or non-performance of official duties, and jointly laundering money.

As the investigation expanded, Central Investigation Bureau officers searched 17 locations in Bangkok and surrounding areas and seized assets worth more than 10 billion baht for return to Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu.

Investigators subsequently sought court-approved detention and opposed bail, sending the suspects to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.