Wacharin Moolsiri, also known as Pai, ran the Instagram account “2.5.6.1,” which he created in 2018 to share cartoons and memes and subsequently attracted a large following.
After leaving his company job in July 2022, the account announced that he had died of bone tuberculosis, according to Tiger.
Questions emerged when the Facebook page “Pantip Drama Thread V2” and other social media users noticed that the account had repeatedly sought funeral donations since 2022.
The posts claimed Wacharin had no surviving relatives and that funds were needed to retrieve his body from Chulalongkorn University’s medical faculty, where he had supposedly donated it for scientific research.
The fundraising campaign reportedly ran 16 rounds, collecting more than 40,000 baht through a Kasikorn Bank account registered in Wacharin’s name.
The appeals often requested small contributions to encourage quick donations. One message, for example, sought 10 baht each from 250 people, creating a sense of urgency and sympathy.
Funeral announcements were also repeatedly published, stating that the service would take place at Hall 1 of Wat Phra Si Mahathat Wora Maha Viharn temple in Bangkok’s Bang Khen District.
However, the scheduled date changed several times, from July 24 to Aug. 24 and then Sept. 24, 2026.
An investigation by Channel 7 News found that the temple had no venue called “Hall 1.” Officials also confirmed that no body registered under Wacharin’s name was being held there.
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Illustrative photo from Pexels |
The program further reported that people with infectious diseases such as bone tuberculosis were ineligible to donate their bodies, contradicting the account’s explanation.
The Facebook page “Chao Khun Phra Miks Thai Tae” subsequently reported that Wacharin was alive, unemployed and living in a small rented room while relying on donations.
It also claimed that he had obtained a new national identification card in April 2025 and that no official death record existed, according to MGR Online.
On Oct. 13, the “2.5.6.1” Instagram account issued a statement on Wacharin’s behalf acknowledging that his death had been fabricated and the funeral fundraising was false.
The statement said the donations had been spent on personal expenses, including rent, electricity and other living costs.
It also offered refunds to donors who contacted the account through Instagram messages, regardless of whether they could provide proof of payment.