
Woman earns ₹100 crore by blackmailing Thai monks with thousands of ‘intimate' photos and videos
According to a BBC news report, this woman, whom the police refer to as 'Ms Golf', allegedly engaged in sexual activities with the monks and then used the pictures and videos of the act to extort money from them.
Over 80,000 photos and videos used to blackmail the monks were found in her house during the investigation.
The case first came to the police's attention in mid-June after an abbot in Bangkok suddenly left monkhood.
According to Thai police, Ms Golf 'had a relationship' with a monk in May 2024. She later claimed to have his baby and demanded child support of more than 7 million baht.
However, upon investigation, the police learnt that the other monks were blackmailed in a similar fashion, calling it her "modus operandi".
Nearly all of the money she extorted has been withdrawn, and some of it has been used for online gambling, said the police.
Ms Golf, the woman behind the scandal of millions, is facing multiple charges including extortion, money laundering and receiving stolen goods.
This scandal is the latest to rock Thailand's much-revered Buddhist institution, which in recent years has been plagued with allegations of monks engaging in sex offences and drug trafficking.
The police have now opened a hotline for people to report 'misbehaving monks'.
In Thailand, where over 90% of the population identify as Buddhist, monks are deeply respected. It's common for many Thai men to temporarily ordain as monks to gain merit and accumulate good karma.
However, the recent scandal has led the Sangha Supreme Council—the governing authority of Thai Buddhism—to announce plans for a special committee to review existing monastic regulations.
Meanwhile, the government is advocating stricter penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for monks found violating the monastic code.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
a few seconds ago
- Economic Times
After Cambodia's rocket attack, Thailand launches airstrikes on Cambodian military targets
AP This photo released by the Royal Thai Army, shows the scene after Cambodia fired artillery shells into a residential area at Surin Province, Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Royal Thai Army via AP) Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia flared into open conflict on Thursday, July 24, as Thailand launched airstrikes on two Cambodian military targets. The Thai army confirmed that six F-16 jets from Ubon Ratchathani province carried out the per the Thai officials, airstrikes came in response to a rocket attack from Cambodian forces that injured three Thai civilians near a contested section of the 817-kilometre shared border. The area remains largely undemarcated and has been a source of long-standing disputes. Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire near Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple. The Thai army claimed Cambodian forces sent a drone and fired first, while Cambodia accused Thailand of being the aggressor. The conflict follows weeks of growing diplomatic tension. On Wednesday night, July 23, Thailand expelled Cambodia's envoy from Bangkok and recalled its own ambassador. The move came after a second Thai soldier lost a limb, reportedly due to newly planted landmines on the Thai side of the border. Cambodia has denied responsibility. Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who is also the father of current Prime Minister Hun Manet, said on Facebook that Thai forces shelled two Cambodian provinces. In response, the Cambodian government announced it was downgrading diplomatic ties with Thailand and had begun withdrawing embassy staff from Bangkok. Meanwhile, the Thai military denied targeting civilians, stating its actions followed defensive protocol and adhered to international law. Meanwhile, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh issued an urgent advisory, urging Thai nationals to leave Cambodia.


New Indian Express
a few seconds ago
- New Indian Express
Thai airstrikes hit Cambodian military targets, Cambodian shell kills Thai civilian as border clashes escalate
BANGKOK: Thailand said at least one civilian was killed amid fresh clashes that erupted Thursday in multiple contested border areas with Cambodia after the nations downgraded their diplomatic relations in a rapidly escalating dispute. The Thai army said it has launched airstrikes on ground targets in Cambodia. The Cambodian Defense Ministry said Thailand's army used fire jets to drop bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple. Thai F-16 jets carried out air strikes on a pair of military targets in Cambodia on Thursday, the Thai army said, as the two countries clashed over a disputed border. Six jets were deployed from Ubon Ratchathani province, hitting two "Cambodian military targets on the ground", according to deputy spokesperson of the Thai army Ritcha Suksuwanon. Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for the Thai Defense Ministry, said three other civilians, including a 5-year-old boy, were seriously injured after Cambodia fired shots into a residential area in Thailand's Surin province. "A Cambodian artillery shell hit a Thai civilian's home, killing one, with a five-year-old child critically injured and two others wounded," the prime minister's office said in a statement. Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Surasant said. The first clash Thursday morning happened in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Surin province and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province. Both Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of opening fire first. (With inputs fom AP and AFP)


Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thailand-Cambodia face-off: Borders shut, F-16 deployed, civilian killed
Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has once again erupted along their disputed border, leading to casualties, diplomatic breakdowns and renewed military action. The conflict, centred around overlapping territorial claims near ancient temples, has intensified in recent days following a series of armed incidents, including landmine explosions, artillery fire and reported airstrikes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tensions spiked after a landmine blast wounded five Thai soldiers, prompting Thailand to expel the Cambodian ambassador and close all northeastern border crossings. Cambodia retaliated by downgrading diplomatic ties and evacuating its embassy in Bangkok. Military exchanges have since been reported at several flashpoints near the border provinces of Surin and Oddar Meanchey. Here are 10 key points about the Cambodia-Thailand conflict: Fighting breaks out near ancient temples The clashes began early Thursday morning around the Ta Muen and Ta Moan Thom temples, areas long claimed by both countries. According to the Thai army, Cambodian troops fired first after Thai soldiers spotted a drone and then six armed soldiers approaching. The Thai side said it responded after coming under fire. Cambodia, however, claimed its troops were defending national territory against a Thai 'armed assault'. Civilian and military casualties mount At least one Thai civilian has been killed and three others injured, including a five-year-old boy, due to artillery fire from Cambodia, Thai officials say. Thailand also reported that seven of its soldiers have been wounded. In a Facebook post, the Thai army accused Cambodian forces of firing BM-21 rockets into Surin's Kap Choeng district, hitting civilian areas. Cambodia accuses Thailand of bombing and aggression Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence accused Thailand of 'brutal and illegal military aggression,' claiming Thai jets dropped bombs on Cambodian territory and used heavy weaponry. A spokesperson said these actions 'violated international law' and ASEAN norms, while adding that Cambodia's forces were prepared to defend its sovereignty 'at all costs'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Thai hospital reportedly attacked by Cambodia According to a Thai army Facebook post, Cambodian artillery targeted Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province. While details remain limited, the alleged strike on a medical facility escalated fears of civilian targeting, leading Thailand to issue evacuation warnings and bolster border defences in affected areas. Thailand closes borders, urges evacuation Thailand responded by closing all border checkpoints with Cambodia and advising Thai nationals to evacuate Cambodia if possible. The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh posted alerts urging citizens to leave unless absolutely necessary. A livestream video from Thai border villages showed civilians fleeing into bunkers as explosions echoed nearby. Diplomatic ties collapse rapidly In less than 48 hours, both countries expelled each other's ambassadors. Cambodia downgraded diplomatic ties to their 'lowest level', pulling most staff from its Bangkok embassy. These moves followed Thai claims that Cambodia planted new landmines in contested territory—a charge Phnom Penh has denied. Landmines ignite the latest flare-up Wednesday's landmine blast that injured five Thai soldiers was the immediate trigger. Thailand claims the mines were newly planted Russian-made devices, violating a previous agreement that marked the area as safe. Cambodia insisted the blast occurred on its side of the border and blamed leftover unexploded ordnance from past wars. Cambodia's conscription and military posture In a notable domestic development, Cambodia recently announced it would revive a dormant mandatory military draft law to conscript civilians starting next year. Prime Minister Hun Manet declared Cambodia had "no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression", emphasising military readiness amid growing hostilities. Political fallout in Thailand The dispute has triggered political instability in Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office earlier this month over an ethics probe linked to her handling of the crisis. A leaked call between her and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen—criticised as undermining the Thai military—has deepened divisions at home. Historical disputes and ICJ rulings The border row, especially around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple, is not new. The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but Thai nationalist groups continue to contest the ruling. Fresh ICJ intervention in 2011 reaffirmed Cambodia's claim, yet tensions have persisted, erupting periodically into armed confrontations.