Thai police arrest woman who allegedly seduced and blackmailed Buddhist monks
The possible violation of the celibacy rule for monks has rocked Buddhist institutions and gripped public attention in Thailand in recent weeks. At least nine abbots and senior monks involved in the scandal have been disrobed and cast out of the monkhood, the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau said.
Wilawan Emsawat, in her mid-30s, was arrested at her home in Nonthaburi province north of the capital Bangkok on charges including extortion, money laundering and receiving stolen goods. Police said they traced money transferred to her by a senior monk from a bank account belonging to his temple in northern Thailand.
Wilawan has not made a statement since her arrest and it was unclear if she has legal representation. Speaking to local media before her arrest, she acknowledged one relationship and said she had given money to that monk.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
9 hours ago
- Mint
Thai woman arrested for ‘seducing' monks in $11.9 million blackmail scheme
Thai police arrested Wilawan Emsawat ("Ms. Golf") for allegedly seducing senior Buddhist monks and blackmailing them with intimate photos and videos. The 30-year-old targeted at least nine abbots and high-ranking monks, violating strict celibacy rules of Thailand's Theravada Buddhist tradition. Her scheme unraveled when a prominent Bangkok abbot suddenly quit monkhood after she demanded 7.2 million baht ($222,000), falsely claiming pregnancy. Authorities seized over 80,000 explicit photos/videos during a raid on her Nonthaburi home, calling her "dangerous" due to the scale of her operation. Thai police arrested Wilawan Emsawat ("Ms. Golf") for allegedly seducing senior Buddhist monks and blackmailing them with intimate photos and videos. The 30-year-old targeted at least nine abbots and high-ranking monks, violating strict celibacy rules of Thailand's Theravada Buddhist tradition. Her scheme unraveled when a prominent Bangkok abbot suddenly quit monkhood after she demanded 7.2 million baht ($222,000), falsely claiming pregnancy. Authorities seized over 80,000 explicit photos/videos during a raid on her Nonthaburi home, calling her "dangerous" due to the scale of her operation. Monks allegedly paid Wilawan from temple donation accounts, funneling 385 million baht ($11.9 million) to her over three years . Police traced transfers from multiple monasteries, revealing how abbots diverted religious funds, including one northern temple's entire bank reserve. Most money vanished into online gambling sites, with investigators finding only minimal remaining balances. The scandal highlights the vast, poorly monitored donations to Thailand's 40,000+ temples, contrasting with monks' vows of poverty. Nine senior monks have been expelled from the monkhood, with more under investigation . Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn revoked royal honors from 81 monks following the scandal, citing "great suffering" caused to Buddhists . Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai ordered urgent reforms: tightening financial oversight at temples, creating stricter penalties for monk misconduct, and launching a Facebook hotline for public reports. According to reports, The Sangha Supreme Council (Buddhism's governing body) will form a special committee to overhaul monastic rules. Meanwhile, police continue analyzing Wilawan's phone data, which suggests more monks may be implicated. She faces charges including extortion and money laundering while awaiting trial.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Thai woman ‘seduced', extorted senior monks for millions, arrested
A Thai woman has been arrested for allegedly seducing several senior Buddhist monks and blackmailing them for money with their intimate material. The monks allegedly diverted money from temple accounts to meet Wilawan's financial demands.(AP) The accused, Wilawan Emsawat, who is believed to be in her mid-30s, was arrested at her home in Bangkok's Nonthaburi province. As a result of the scandal, at least nine abbots and senior monks involved in the scandal have been disrobed and cast out of the monkhood, the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau said. Also Read | Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended: Why Thailand ousted two prime ministers in a year Authorities say she targeted high-ranking monks, lured them into sexual relationships, and then demanded large payouts to keep their affairs secret, the AP news agency reported. The monks allegedly diverted money from temple accounts to meet Wilawan's financial demands. A scandal fueled by seduction, extortion The case came to light after the sudden and unexplained resignation of a prominent abbot in Bangkok, said Jaroonkiat Pankaew, a Central Investigation Bureau deputy commissioner. Investigators later uncovered that he had been coerced by Wilawan, who claimed she was pregnant and demanded a staggering 7.2 million baht (approx. $222,000) to remain silent, the news agency reported. Also Read | Thailand's trade proposal to the US includes zero tariffs on some imports, says finance minister Police believed "this woman is dangerous and we needed to arrest her as soon as possible", Jaroonkiat said. Police believe this wasn't an isolated incident. Evidence from Wilawan's mobile phones has revealed tens of thousands of photos and videos, as well as numerous chat logs indicating intimacy with several monks, many of which could be used for blackmail. Trail of money found Over the past three years, Wilawan reportedly received around 385 million baht (roughly $11.9 million) in her bank accounts—much of it transferred by monks using temple funds. Also Read | Influencer Sharan Hegde's Thailand moment with Soundous Moufakir grabs attention online Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Wilawan has not made a statement since her arrest, and it was unclear if she has legal representation. Thai Buddhism under the scanner The possible violation of the celibacy rule for monks has rocked the country's religious institutions and raised serious questions about temple finances and monk conduct. Thai monks are largely members of the Theravada sect, which requires them to be celibate and refrain from even touching a woman. Scandals involving monks surface a few times a year in Thailand, but usually don't involve senior members of the clergy. The case also puts a spotlight on the large sums of money donated to temples controlled by abbots, which is in marked contrast to the abstemious lives they are supposed to lead under their religion's precepts.
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Indian Express
Thai woman extorts over Rs 100 crore by seducing, blackmailing Buddhist monks
A scandal of sex, money, and betrayal is shaking Thailand's Buddhist establishment to its core. At the centre of the controversy is a 30-year-old woman named Wilawan Emsawat from Nonthaburi province, who police say seduced senior monks engaging them in secret sexual relationships and then blackmailed them for millions to keep their vows of celibacy hidden from public view. What started as gossip in temple corridors has now exploded into a national scandal. At least nine abbots and senior monks have been disrobed and expelled from the monkhood, an institution respected by millions in this actively Buddhist nation. The Royal Thai Police say more names could follow as investigations open up. Wilawan was arrested on Tuesday at her home just north of Bangkok on multiple charges including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. Authorities say they acted swiftly, fearing she could destroy evidence. Deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau Jaroonkiat Pankaew said, 'this woman is dangerous and we needed to arrest her as soon as possible'. Police allege that Wilawan used romantic and sexual traps to manipulate monks into transferring large sums of money often taken from temple bank accounts, under the threat of public exposure. In one case, she allegedly claimed to be pregnant and demanded 7.2 million baht from a abbot who later fled the monkhood in disgrace. Digital forensics uncovered tens of thousands of photos, videos, and chats on Wilawan's phones evidence that could involve several more monks in Thailand. Investigators found over 385 million baht (over Rs 101 crore) had passed through her bank accounts over the past three years, much of it believed to have been spent on online gambling sites. 'She exploited their vulnerabilities… It's a betrayal not only of individuals but of public trust in our religious institutions' Jaroonkiat said. Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai has ordered a review of monk regulations and temple finances, calling for greater transparency to restore faith in Buddhism. Police have also set up a Facebook page inviting the public to report unethical behavior by monks, signaling what could be a long and reckoning for the clergy. Wilawan has remained silent since her arrest. She previously admitted to a single relationship in an interview before charges were filed, claiming she had given money to the monk involved. Her legal representation, if any, remains unclear.
