Luang Pho Yai, a Buddhist monk from Thailand who had gained worldwide recognition from videos on the social media platform TikTok showing him with his granddaughter and great granddaughter, passed away on 22 March. His kind demeanor, frail appearance, and age, helped to propel the popularity of the videos.

The video clips also quickly spawned a number of false claims, including that the monk was 163 years old, that he was a 399-year-old woman, and that he was undertaking the Japanese practice of sokushinbutsu, which refers to self-mummification. The rumors became so widespread that fact-checking websites around the world wrote articles debunking the claims.

The TikTok videos, posted by the monk’s granddaughter, Auy Auyaray, charted his time in hospital after Luang Pho Yai broke his hip in January. On TikTok, she gave regular updates on the monk’s health, suggesting that he appeared to be improving through February and early March. The videos have received millions of views. One video of the monk in his hospital bed interacting with his great granddaughter has received 187.8 million views.

After Luang Pho Yai’s death late last month, his granddaughter posted videos showing memorial images and funeral rites. Other videos appear to show his cremation and the collection of his ashes.

“The viral video is of my grandfather. He is 109-year-old. I’m taking care of him and he is in good health,” Auy told one of the few media outlets to interview her. “People took the video from my account without my permission. He is very respected in Thailand.” (Fact Crescendo)

While some comments on social media have been critical of Auy for posting videos of her sick grandfather, countless others have offered kind words of support to her and the elderly monk.

“I post videos of my grandfather on social media and people are so kind,” said Auy “He barely talks and sometimes it can be difficult to communicate with him because he is blind and his hearing is not good. But his consciousness is still sharp like any other person. He will be turning 110 this year on 13 April.” (Fact Crescendo)

Sadly, Luang Pho Yai did not live to see his 110th birthday. Auy has continued to post videos featuring different times in his life to her TikTok account, auyary13.

According to census data, 94.5 per cent of Thais are Buddhists. The country’s second-largest religion is Islam, representing some 4.19 per cent of the country’s population. Christians make up just over 1 per cent. The kingdom has some 40,000 Buddhist temples and almost 300,000 Buddhist monks.

See more

The old monk who went viral on TikTok has sadly passed away (The Tab)
The old monk who went viral on TikTok has sadly passed away (The Tab)
Is This Man Really 163 Years Old?  (Snopes)
Video Of 109-Year-Old Thai Man Falsely Viral As 200-Year-Old Himalayan Monk (Fact Crescendo)
Footage of a 109-year-old man in Thailand went viral. Now TikTok is flooded with hoaxes, memes, and misinformation about him. (Insider)
auyary13 (TikTok)

Related news reports from BDG

Buddhist Monks on the Frontline as COVID-19 Surges in Thailand
Thailand’s Buddhist Monks Receive COVID-19 Vaccinations
Buddhist Monks in Cambodia and Thailand Limit Religious Services Amid Pandemic
Buddhist Monks in Thailand Use YouTube to Make DIY Masks and Safety Equipment
Buddhist Monks Lead Vigil for Victims of Thailand Mass Shooting