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India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Sex, tapes and scandal: How Ms Golf extorted millions from Thai monks
The police in Thailand have arrested a woman who allegedly had sexual relationships with several Buddhist monks and later extorted them, demanding money in exchange for not leaking explicit photos and videos. The woman, known as "Ms Golf", had sex with at least nine monks, police said at a press conference on July 15. They believe she received around 385 million baht ($11.9 million) over the past three scandal is the latest to rock Thailand's much-revered Buddhist institution, which in recent years has been plagued by allegations of monks engaging in sex offences and drug who searched her house found more than 80,000 photos and videos used to blackmail the monks, a police spokesperson said, according to a report by The Guardian."We checked her financial trail and found that it involves many temples," Jaroonkiat Pankaew from the Thai police's central investigation bureau told a press briefing on July 15."After we seized her mobile, we checked and found that there were several monks involved, and several [video] clips and Line chats," he IS THE SCANDAL INVOLVING MONKS IN THAILAND?Police said the case first came to their attention in the middle of June, when they learnt that an abbot in Bangkok had suddenly left the monkhood after being extorted by a Golf "had a relationship" with the monk in May 2024, police later claimed to having his baby and demanded child support of more than seven million baht, they then discovered that other monks had also transferred money to Ms Golf — which police called her "modus operandi".Police added they found that nearly all the money had been withdrawn, and some of it had been used for online investigators searched Ms Golf's house earlier this month, they seized her phones and found more than 80,000 photos and videos that she had used to blackmail the monks, police is facing multiple charges, including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. The police have also opened a hotline for people to report "misbehaving monks".HARSHER PUNISHMENT: MORE JAIL TIMES AND FINEThe scandal has prompted the Sangha Supreme Council, the governing body for Thai Buddhism, to announce that it will form a special committee to review monastic government is also pushing for harsher penalties, including fines and jail time, for monks who breach the monastic week, Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn revoked a royal command he had issued in June conferring higher titles to 81 monks. He cited the recent cases of misconduct, which he said have "caused Buddhists to suffer greatly in their minds".In Thailand, where more than 90% of the population identify as Buddhist, monks are highly revered. Many Thai men also choose to temporarily ordain as monks to accumulate good HAVE PLAGUED BUDDHIST CLERGY IN THAILANDBut the Buddhist institution has been plagued by scandals in recent Sukphol, a jet-setting monk known for his lavish lifestyle, made international headlines in 2017 when he was charged with sex offences, fraud, and money in 2022, a temple in the northern province of Phetchabun was left without any monks after all four of its monks were arrested in a drug raid and were years of criticism about disciplinary and accountability issues within the Thai Sangha, many say there has been little real change in the centuries-old institution. A big part of the problem lies with its strict hierarchy, say much of the coverage has focused on the woman at the centre of the scandal, experts told several media outlets that the case raises important questions about the money and power that enable such behaviour."When the clergy's moral decay is in full view, it's the woman who takes the fall while the monks are cast as victims," wrote one commentator, Sanitsuda Ekachai, in the Bangkok Post, deriding what she said was a feudal-like system in which monks "live in privilege, surrounded by wealth and deference."Another op-ed published by Thai broadcaster PBS thanked Wilawan for her role in exposing the conduct, saying: "Without her, these deep-rooted malpractices might never have come to light."Monks in Thailand receive monthly food allowances of between 2,500–34,200 baht (57–785), depending on their rank, but temples and monks also receive donations. The latter can prove especially lucrative for monks of higher stature, who might be given tens of thousands of baht, or even more, by wealthy individuals.- Ends advertisement
Time of India
3 days 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.
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Woman earns ₹100 crore by blackmailing Thai monks with thousands of ‘intimate' photos and videos
At least nine Thai monks were extorted of a whopping 385 million baht ( ₹ 102.14 crore) over the past three years by a single woman. Yes, just one woman! 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.
Mint
4 days ago
- Mint
Woman earns ₹100 crore by blackmailing Thai monks with thousands of ‘intimate' photos and videos
At least nine Thai monks were extorted of a whopping 385 million baht ( ₹ 102.14 crore) over the past three years by a single woman. Yes, just one woman! 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.
Hindustan Times
5 days 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.
