Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu to burn bodies of deceased patients after revelations of exposure and financial irregularities during abbot’s resignation.

Lopburi province is preparing to cremate more than 20 bodies found at Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu, a temple known for its care of people living with HIV/AIDS, following a public outcry over the display of patients’ bodies in the temple museum. Phra Khru Suwat Kittisarn, who was appointed acting abbot after Luang Phor Alongkot’s resignation, said efforts were being made to contact the relatives of the deceased.

If the families were not found, the temple would cremate the remains, registering the names of the deceased along with the ashes to avoid any future disputes. The resignation of Luang Phor Alongkot, the founder of Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu, followed the discovery of signs of possible financial irregularities and misuse of donations to the temple. The bodies, some preserved since 1992, were discovered during a recent inspection by Health Ministry officials.

Human bones wrapped in white cloth were also found in the vaults, raising concerns about compliance with the Cemeteries and Crematoriums Act. Tanakrit Jit-areerat, secretary to the health minister, said the display, originally intended as a message about the frailty of life, should be brought into compliance with current legislation.

Authorities are investigating the temple to determine whether its long-standing medical practices were outside the pale, as Wat Phra Bat Nam Phu was never formally licensed as a medical facility despite providing care to hundreds of people living with HIV.

The National Health Security Authority is also investigating whether donations to the temple were used for the intended purpose. A special committee has been formed to monitor finances and assets during the transition period. According to Phra Khru Suwat, donations to the temple have dropped sharply since Luang Phor Alongkot resigned amid the scandal surrounding the bodies at the museum.

Luang Phor Alongkot said he resigned to ensure complete transparency in the investigations. He acknowledged that the temple, which spends at least 200,000 baht a day on patient care, is now struggling financially. Phra Khru Suwat said his priority was to restore stability and improve conditions for the more than 200 patients and staff remaining at the temple.

“The temple will continue its mission of compassion,” he assured, adding that the cremation of the 20 bodies would be done with dignity. In a related development, the Debsirin Alumni Association said Luang Phor Alongkot’s name had been removed from the Hall of Fame after confirming that he had never attended the school, despite being honoured as a distinguished alumnus over the years.

The association admitted that it had not correctly verified his credentials, saying the monk’s renowned charitable work had prompted them to accept his background without question.

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