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Nearly all of the money she extorted has been withdrawn, and some of it has been used for online gambling, said the police.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.
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NDTV
30 minutes ago
- NDTV
'Misbehaving Monks': Massive Sex Scandal Shakes Thailand's Buddhist Clergy
Bangkok: Reverence for the saffron-robed Buddhist monkhood is deeply woven into Thai society, but a sex extortion scandal has besmirched the clergy and left the devout questioning their faith. Thai police this week arrested a woman accused of bedding at least 11 monks in violation of their vows of celibacy, before blackmailing them with thousands of secretly taken photos of their trysts. The monks are said to have paid nearly $12 million, funnelled out of their monasteries funded by donations from laypeople hoping to increase their merit and prospects for reincarnation. The scandal provoked outrage over hypocrisy in the monkhood, concern their status shields them from scrutiny, and soul-searching across society about the role of religion. "I'm not involved in the religion like I used to be," 33-year-old motorbike taxi driver Mongkol Sudathip told AFP. "I don't have full respect for it anymore." King Maha Vajiralongkorn has cancelled invitations to more than 80 monks who had been due to attend his upcoming 73rd birthday celebrations, citing "inappropriate behaviour that caused mental distress among the Thai people". While the 11 monks have been stripped of their robes,the kingdom's National Office of Buddhism has vowed to "restore public trust" with a sweeping police probe into the grubby affair. 'Splurging attitude' Theravada Buddhism has been the spiritual backbone of Thai identity for more than two millennia, and still shapes national laws banning alcohol on religious holidays and protecting sacred objects. Thai men are traditionally expected to ordain as monks at least once in their lives for a period lasting as short as a few weeks or as long as decades. The clergy are bound by 227 strict rules, including a ban on masturbation, touching women and even handling objects directly from them. Monks traditionally survive on alms, food offerings and a modest $170 monthly stipend, but some pocket fees for lectures, blessings and ceremonies -- blurring the line between faith and fortune. In a TV interview, the woman at the heart of the scandal said she had developed a "splurging attitude" as her monk lovers lavished her with shopping trips worth up to $90,000 a day. Motorcycle taxi driver Mongkol said he now prefers to donate to hospitals or schools for underprivileged children. "It feels more meaningful than giving money to temples," he told AFP. This month's scandal is not the first to rock the monkhood. In 2017, police raided Wat Dhammakaya temple north of Bangkok, arresting its former abbot over allegations of laundering $33 million in public donations. This May, police held another monk in the capital over allegations of embezzling nearly $10 million from a temple for an online gambling network. Buddhism scholar Danai Preechapermprasit said repeated scandals -- especially among senior monks -- have "shaken people to the core". "People question whether donations are used for spiritual significance or personal desire," he told AFP. "I think Thailand has reached a point where it's difficult for monks to even walk down the street." A powerful lawmaker has pledged tighter regulations within three months -- including mandatory donation disclosures and laws treating monk misconduct as a criminal offence. "This case does not represent Buddhism as a whole," said national police chief Kitrat Panphet on Thursday, pledging a new task force to probe misbehaving monks. "It's about a few individuals doing wrong," he said. 'Never lose faith' In Buddhist tradition monks are viewed as the Buddha's spiritual heirs, entrusted with preserving and passing on his teachings. But at Wat Bowonniwet in Bangkok -- one of Thailand's most revered temples -- only 26 monks were ordained this year, a steep drop from nearly 100 before the Covid-19 pandemic. A monk there, speaking to AFP anonymously, blamed societal changes after the pandemic, which forced people into isolation -- saying nowadays "people prefer to live outside the temple life". But independent Buddhism expert Jaturong Jongarsa said temples are increasingly being treated as "a garbage dump" -- where families send drug addicts or LGBTQ youth to be "corrected". "Temples are no longer seen as the sacred spaces they once were," he told AFP. "People send their problems to the temple and hope they'll go away." Still, not all Thais have lost faith. Camphun Parimiphut, a 52-year-old security guard from Maha Sarakham in Thailand's northeast, said: "Buddhism is about the teachings, not the individuals who fail it". Because of corruption scandals he now avoids giving money to monks -- preferring to donate only food. But his devotion remains steadfast. "You can lose faith in monks," he said. "But never lose trust in Buddhist teachings. They still teach us how to live a good life." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'$11.9m extortion ring': Who is Wilawan Emsawat? The woman at the centre of Thailand's monk scandal
A dramatic scandal involving Thailand's senior Buddhist clergy has gripped the nation after the disappearance of a well-known monk led to a web of blackmail, sex, and temple money trails. At the centre of it all is Wilawan Emsawat, a woman now accused of seducing and extorting powerful monks, and exposing a deeper rot in Thailand's religious institutions. The controversy erupted after Phra Thep Wachirapamok, a respected monk from a central Bangkok temple, vanished without a trace. Investigators soon found the trail led to Wilawan, whose home was reportedly filled with phones containing tens of thousands of compromising images and videos involving monks. Her financial records showed deposits linked to temple accounts, drawing in at least nine senior clergy who have since been disrobed or dismissed. Police say Wilawan used romantic relationships with monks to pressure them into paying large sums to maintain silence, money often transferred directly from temple funds. She allegedly claimed to be pregnant in one case and demanded 7.2 million baht from a monk who later fled the monkhood, the Guardian reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like See the original Harry Potter Cast Then and Now Watch More Undo Wilawan, now in her mid-30s, was arrested in Nonthaburi province on charges of extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen property. She has not commented since her arrest, and it remains unclear whether she has legal representation. However, before her arrest, she admitted to relationships with at least two monks and a religious academic. She also expressed guilt, saying she had 'fallen in love.' Police say 385 million baht (around $11.9 million) passed through Wilawan's accounts in three years, much of which was spent on online gambling, as per the report. Thailand's acting Prime Minister has now ordered a review of laws governing monk behaviour and temple finances, amid growing calls for reform. The Central Investigation Bureau has opened a public tip line on social media for reporting misbehaving monks. Who is Wilawan Emsawat? Nicknamed 'Sika Golf' and believed to be in her mid-30s Arrested in Nonthaburi province on charges of extortion and money laundering Allegedly blackmailed multiple senior monks after initiating sexual relationships Claimed to be pregnant to extract over 7 million baht from one monk Received around 385 million baht over three years, mostly from temple-linked accounts Told media she had fallen in love with some of the monks and gave money to one Reportedly spent much of the funds on online gambling Phones seized from her home contained tens of thousands of compromising images and videos Police say she is connected to multiple temples across Thailand Has become a lightning rod in a scandal that has triggered broader questions about the abuse of wealth and status in Thai Buddhism.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Thailand temple scandal: Monks caught in $12m sex-blackmail scheme; King cancels birthday ceremony invite
Representative Image Thailand's Buddhist clergy is facing a major crisis after a sex and extortion scandal involving at least 11 monks came to light this week. The monks are accused of breaking their celibacy vows and using temple donations to pay hush money to a woman who blackmailed them. Police say the woman seduced the monks, secretly recorded their sexual acts, and then demanded millions to stay quiet. The scandal involves nearly $12 million in temple funds and is the money donated by worshippers hoping to earn spiritual merit. The case has shocked many Thais, as Buddhism plays a central role in the country's culture. 'I used to respect the monks,' said Mongkol Sudathip, a 33-year-old motorbike taxi driver. 'But not anymore.' Royal reaction and wider probe King Maha Vajiralongkorn cancelled the attendance of over 80 monks at his upcoming birthday event, calling their behaviour 'inappropriate' and damaging to public trust. The National Office of Buddhism said all monks involved have been defrocked, and a full police investigation is now underway. Police chief Kitrat Panphet claimed that the scandal does not represent the whole religion, only a few individuals who broke the rules. A new task force is being formed to look deeper into misconduct within temples. In an interview, the woman at the centre of the scandal admitted she spent up to $90,000 a day while going on luxury shopping trips with monks. Monks in Thailand are supposed to live simply on alms and a monthly stipend of about $170. However, many earn extra money by performing blessings and religious ceremonies, blurring the line between religious duty and personal wealth. 'I now donate to hospitals and schools,' said Mongkol. 'It feels more meaningful than giving to temples.' Not the first scandal This isn't the first time the monkhood has faced criticism. In 2017, a former abbot was arrested for laundering $33 million. Earlier this year, another monk was accused of embezzling nearly $10 million to fund gambling. Experts say public trust is wearing thin. Scholar Danai Preechapermprasit said, 'People are beginning to question where their donations go.' Despite growing doubt, many still separate their belief in Buddhism from the actions of individual monks. 'You can lose trust in monks,' said Camphun Parimiphut, a 52-year-old security guard. 'But the teachings still guide us.'
