The Buddhist monk sex scandal that's gripping Thailand
Thai authorities suspect the woman at the centre of the controversy used compromising images to extort money from senior monks with whom she had formed sexual relationships. Monks are supposed to be celibate and of high moral standing.
Golf's real name was revealed as Wilawan Emsawat, a 35-year-old mother of three children, after she was arrested at her home on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday.
Her charges so far, which included money laundering and receiving stolen goods, related to 380,000 baht ($17,920) of temple funds she allegedly received in February last year from a senior monk, who had also been charged.
But police were pursuing more cases. They alleged on Tuesday that her bank accounts showed receipts for about 385 million baht ($18.1 million) since 2022, most of it spent on online gambling.
While the source of all that money remained unclear, police alleged she had more than 80,000 photos and videos on her five mobile phones that implicated monks in sexual antics.
'This woman is a dangerous individual who must be apprehended urgently,' Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew said. 'With the evidence gathered and pressure to expedite the case, it has led to today's arrest.'
Golf has denied blackmailing anyone and said she was actually giving money to monks.
Prominent monks attached to well-known temples across Bangkok and central Thailand were disrobing almost daily as the story widened. The number so far stood at least nine. Three others were believed to be in hiding, while more still were expected to be implicated. Only one monk had been charged.
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The Buddhist monk sex scandal that's gripping Thailand
Singapore: A sex scandal involving more than a dozen Buddhist monks and an alleged seductress known as 'Golf' has been gripping Thailand, including a very displeased king, and has prompted action on laws to criminalise monk sex and safeguard the monastic order's crumbling public image. Thai authorities suspect the woman at the centre of the controversy used compromising images to extort money from senior monks with whom she had formed sexual relationships. Monks are supposed to be celibate and of high moral standing. Golf's real name was revealed as Wilawan Emsawat, a 35-year-old mother of three children, after she was arrested at her home on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday. Her charges so far, which included money laundering and receiving stolen goods, related to 380,000 baht ($17,920) of temple funds she allegedly received in February last year from a senior monk, who had also been charged. But police were pursuing more cases. They alleged on Tuesday that her bank accounts showed receipts for about 385 million baht ($18.1 million) since 2022, most of it spent on online gambling. While the source of all that money remained unclear, police alleged she had more than 80,000 photos and videos on her five mobile phones that implicated monks in sexual antics. 'This woman is a dangerous individual who must be apprehended urgently,' Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew said. 'With the evidence gathered and pressure to expedite the case, it has led to today's arrest.' Golf has denied blackmailing anyone and said she was actually giving money to monks. Prominent monks attached to well-known temples across Bangkok and central Thailand were disrobing almost daily as the story widened. The number so far stood at least nine. Three others were believed to be in hiding, while more still were expected to be implicated. Only one monk had been charged.
The Age
15 hours ago
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The Buddhist monk sex scandal that's gripping Thailand
Singapore: A sex scandal involving more than a dozen Buddhist monks and an alleged seductress known as 'Golf' has been gripping Thailand, including a very displeased king, and has prompted action on laws to criminalise monk sex and safeguard the monastic order's crumbling public image. Thai authorities suspect the woman at the centre of the controversy used compromising images to extort money from senior monks with whom she had formed sexual relationships. Monks are supposed to be celibate and of high moral standing. Golf's real name was revealed as Wilawan Emsawat, a 35-year-old mother of three children, after she was arrested at her home on the outskirts of Bangkok on Tuesday. Her charges so far, which included money laundering and receiving stolen goods, related to 380,000 baht ($17,920) of temple funds she allegedly received in February last year from a senior monk, who had also been charged. But police were pursuing more cases. They alleged on Tuesday that her bank accounts showed receipts for about 385 million baht ($18.1 million) since 2022, most of it spent on online gambling. While the source of all that money remained unclear, police alleged she had more than 80,000 photos and videos on her five mobile phones that implicated monks in sexual antics. 'This woman is a dangerous individual who must be apprehended urgently,' Police Major General Jaroonkiat Pankaew said. 'With the evidence gathered and pressure to expedite the case, it has led to today's arrest.' Golf has denied blackmailing anyone and said she was actually giving money to monks. Prominent monks attached to well-known temples across Bangkok and central Thailand were disrobing almost daily as the story widened. The number so far stood at least nine. Three others were believed to be in hiding, while more still were expected to be implicated. Only one monk had been charged.
