The monk was found dead in his residence by a disciple at 2pm after he had taken the vaccination at 10am that day. The exact cause of death is under investigation.

Dr Opas revealed that Phra Khru Siripanyamethi had diabetes and was in the sensitive patient category that received the AstraZeneca vaccine as he was 71 years old.

He said the death happening on the day of vaccination could be a coincidence. However, health officials have to wait for the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Police General Hospital, to determine the exact cause. Other monks who received the vaccine on the same day did not report any symptoms related to the vaccine, he said.

Autopsy to help determine cause of monk's death on day he was vaccinated

Police General Hospital is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death of Phra Khru Siripanyamethi, assistant abbot of Samphanthawong Temple, Bangkok, after he received the Covid-19 vaccine on March 31, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said.