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Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Charges mount against woman at centre of temple sex scandal
Police charges are mounting against the 35-year-old woman known as 'Sika Golf' who allegedly had sex with many senior monks at well-known temples in many provinces and also blackmailed them. Pol Col Anek Taosuparp, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said Wilawan 'Sika Golf' Emsawat was charged additionally with fraud in connection with an old complaint from a former director of Buddhism in the northern province of Phichit. 'Sika' is a Thai word that monks use to address a woman. According to the deputy commander, the former Buddhism official lent 400,000 baht to Ms Golf, who claimed she needed money for medical treatment and pointed out that she had evidence a relationship with a senior monk in Phichit. The former director filed his complaint in 2016 and the investigation was first revived in 2018, when there was clear evidence of money transactions. The CSD is also prosecuting Ms Wilawan for alleged extortion of money from a former assistant abbot at popular Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao province. Pol Col Anek said the woman's methodology was to develop a close relationship with a monk before shifting to money issues. In this case, police had proof the former assistant abbot transferred 8,000 baht to her associate. Pol Col Anek said the CSD was handling fraud and embezzlement cases concerning 'Sika Golf' and other people, and the police Anti-Corruption Division was proceeding with cases concerning monks' misconduct and embezzlement. Ms Wilawan was arrested at her home in Nonthaburi province on Tuesday and has alredy been charged with supporting a monk's embezzlement of temple funds, laundering money and receiving stolen goods. She is being detained at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok. According to police sources, Ms Wilawan, aka Sika Golf, is a native of Phichit province. She was the wife of a local politician who left her after learning she phoned lovers at night and received banknotes, coins and daily necessities donated to monks and regifted to her. She reportedly had many pictures of monks on the walls of their home. The scandal around her activities erupted late last month when the abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep in Bangkok disappeared. Police suspect she had tried to blackmail him. Police searched her house and found a number of mobile phones storing about 80,000 sex photos and videos involving many senior monks at many famous temples. About 15 monks are suspected of having a special relationship with the woman and nine were known to have already left the monkhood as of Wednesday, when an ecclesiastical chief of monks in the northern province of Phisanulok doffed his robes and reverted to being a lay citizen. Meanwhile, an assistant abbot of Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan in Bangkok has denied he had sexual relations with her, although police have copies of their intimate conversations and his photo on a chat app. Police said on Tuesday that about 385 million baht was paid into Ms Wilawan's bank accounts over the past three years and she lost most of it gambling online.
Bangkok Post
10-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Ex-abbot admits to love affair
The former abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi has admitted to a years-long romantic relationship with a woman known as "Sika Golf", saying he had even planned to leave the monkhood to marry her -- only to later discover she was also romantically involved with senior monks from other well-known temples. Police found that Ms Golf was involved with at least 15 senior monks who transferred money to her over the past several years. When combined with supporting evidence -- such as photographs, video clips, and chat logs -- investigators confirmed that at least eight of the monks had engaged in relationships with her. The scandal came to light following a July 4 police raid at the house of Ms Golf in Bangkok by the Anti-Corruption Division, during which over 80,000 images and video clips were recovered from five mobile phones belonging to her. She also has three children aged 13, 10, and 6 with some former high-ranking monks. Investigators initially expected to uncover evidence related to a temple corruption case, but instead found explicit material suggesting sexual relationships between her and several senior monks from well-known temples in many provinces. Deputy Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat Pankaew said more than a dozen temples, but not yet over 20, are now under investigation, including prominent ones such as Wat Tri Thotsathep in Bangkok, Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi, Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat in Phitsanulok and other temples in Phichit, Phetchabun, Samut Sakhon and Khon Kaen. So far, eight monks have been identified, and three have been found in violation of monastic codes, warranting defrocking. At least five implicated monks have already left the monkhood. Police are also investigating possible financial misconduct, including whether Ms Golf misused temple funds or extorted money from monks for her alleged online gambling. "The scandals required further police investigation and action to ensure that the monastic institution remains composed solely of monks who uphold moral discipline," said Pol Maj Gen Charoonkiat. He stressed that the police had no intention of undermining Buddhism, but urged monks across the country to exercise caution when participating in religious activities involving laywomen. "These individuals may present themselves as generous donors, wealthy benefactors or socialites, yet some may in fact be fraudsters seeking to gain the monks' trust, engaging them in conversations via Line or telephone and secretly recording clips," he said. Authorities are encouraging any monks who may have been blackmailed to come forward, although none have yet filed complaints. Meanwhile, Thep Wachirathiraporn, the former abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai, told the police that he met Ms Golf in 2019 through Facebook, where she initially approached him with signs of devotion. Their contact continued for about a year before developing into a romantic relationship. The woman gave him a Toyota Alphard to use for monastic duties. Their relationship continued for several years, and they even made plans for him to disrobe and marry her. However, he eventually discovered that she was seeing other monks. He also claimed he was repeatedly extorted for money, which left him so distressed that he considered leaving the monkhood to expose her activities, only to be disrobed by police action before he could come forward, said the police. Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Religion, Morality, Ethics, Arts and Culture will next week summon relevant agencies to clarify the scandal, amid growing public concern. Senator Atcharaphan Homrot, the panel's secretary-general, acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and its potential to severely damage public trust in Buddhism. "This matter is highly delicate and directly affects faith in the religion," she said, calling for strict yet constructive action from the Sangha Supreme Council and related agencies.
Bangkok Post
09-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Two senior monks defrocked over sex videos
Two senior monks have been defrocked following the seizure of sex videos and over 80,000 images featuring sex between a woman and high-ranking clergy at well-known temples in Bangkok and other provinces. Officers from the police Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) set out on Wednesday to negotiate with senior monks who had allegedly been romantically involved with a woman to voluntarily leave the monkhood to prevent damage to the reputation of Buddhism. The sex scandal was exposed after ACD police recovered over 80,000 images and videos from five mobile phones belonging to the woman, identified as 'Sika Kor', depicting intimate affairs between her and senior monks at well-known temples. Authorities have so far identified eight monks, with three already confirmed to have violated monastic discipline warranting defrocking. The first location police visited was Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen in Bangkok, where officers sought to hold talks with Phra Thep Wachiwatheerakun, the assistant abbot. However, he had reportedly left the temple the day before and travelled to Chiang Mai. Authorities are coordinating efforts to locate him. Police later went to Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan in Muang district of Chachoengsao province to meet Phra Khru Siriwiriyathada, the assistant abbot. However, he too was absent when the officers arrived. He had reportedly left for a religious ceremony and had not returned. His vehicle was also missing, prompting a search to track his whereabouts. On Wednesday afternoon, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led a team to locate Phra Thep Wachiratheeraporn, the abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi. The monk was intercepted in Samut Prakan while en route to purchase a new robe. After officers presented him with videos and images featuring him having sex with the woman, he agreed to leave the monkhood. He was taken to Wat Trimit in Bangkok to formally renounce the monkhood in front of the principal Buddha image. (Story continues below) Shortly afterward, police managed to locate the disgraced assistant abbot of Wat Paknam in Mae Taeng district of Chaing Mai. Phra Thep Wachiwatheerakun was at Wat Phrathat Sunantha at the time. The officers presented him with video evidence and urged him to show responsibility by leaving the monkhood. The senior monk agreed. Still at large is Phra Khru Siriviryathada of Wat Sothon. Despite the voluntary defrocking of the two senior monks, investigations into possible financial misconduct are ongoing, said police. Authorities are examining whether temple funds were misappropriated to support Sika Kor or for personal use, similar to the previous case involving Phra Thepwachirapamok, also known as Chao Khun Archawa, the former abbot of Wat Trisossathep in Bangkok. The senior monk, 54, suddenly left the monkhood for an unknown reason and fled to Laos.
Bangkok Post
02-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
CIB probes temple funds as abbot flees
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is tracking the financial transactions of Wat Tritossathep temple to determine the connections between a former abbot and a woman he knew. The move came after former abbot Phra Thepwachirapamok, 54, also known as "Chao Khun Archawa", suddenly left the monkhood for an unknown reason and fled to a neighbouring country. CIB deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat Pankaew said many individuals' financial transactions and history are under investigation but no definitive wrongdoing has been discovered yet. He said if any temple funds were transferred to the woman in question, the former abbot would be held culpable. However, if the money was the former abbot's, no wrongdoing would be found. The woman would also be charged if she knowingly received temple funds. When questioned about the former abbot's past, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat noted that a full background check is still pending, while describing him as a relatively young monk who rapidly ascended through the ranks. However, the reasons behind his swift promotions are unclear. Regarding the female associate, Pol Maj Gen Jaroonkiat indicated that she would be summoned for questioning only after the financial investigation yields evidence. Officers from the CIB's Anti-Corruption Division and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) previously met Wat Tritossathep's acting abbot to inspect the temple's assets following allegations of temple fund embezzlement. Chao Khun Archawa was summoned for questioning late last month but refused to show up before travelling to Wat Chan Samakkhi in Nong Khai province in the Northeast to resign from his monastic duties. Meanwhile, Buddhist scholar Jaturong Jongarsa raised questions regarding Chao Khun Archawa's disappearance, asking whether it was voluntary or forced. The former abbot has been a monk for 34 years within the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order. He was educated to a high level in ecclesiastical Pali and had a bachelor's degree in religious studies. During his monastic career he took on significant administrative roles and was appointed as the abbot in 2022. Due to his positions, he would have received a total monthly allowance of 27,400 baht.
The Star
05-06-2025
- The Star
Former abbot of Bangkok temple returns from exile to face embezzlement charges
BANGKOK: A former abbot of one of Bangkok's most prominent royal temples has returned from exile in Germany to face serious embezzlement charges linked to a major temple fund scandal that shook public faith in Thai Buddhism seven years ago. Phra Chamnong Thammajari arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport Phra Chamnong Thammajari, formerly known as Phra Prommethi, the former abbot of Wat Samphanthawongsaram Worawihan in Bangkok's Samphanthawong district, landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 6.30am on Thursday (June 5). He departed from Frankfurt at 2pm local time on Wednesday (June 4). Upon arrival, the former abbot, who appeared in a wheelchair, was escorted by officials and handed over to officers from the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) for immediate questioning. The Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) later approved the monk's release on bail, with a cash guarantee of 400,000 baht. Police considered that Phra Prommethi was a senior monk with no intention of interfering in the investigation, and therefore granted him temporary release. Police formally charged him with money laundering and aiding state officials in committing malfeasance. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Before being released, the monk denied all charges and requested to submit a written statement at a later date instead of undergoing a verbal interrogation. Linked to major temple fund embezzlement scandal Phra Prommethi is one of seven senior monks charged in 2018 in connection with a high-profile temple development fund embezzlement case. The case involved alleged collaboration between senior monks, officials from the Office of National Buddhism (ONB), and private individuals to siphon millions of baht from funds meant for temple development. This third wave of arrests followed earlier investigations in 2017–2018, which significantly damaged public confidence in the monastic establishment. - The Nation/ANN
