Authorities apprehend female suspect linked to controversy surrounding monk's sexual misconduct
In Thailand, a significant scandal involving senior monks has led to the defrocking of several high-ranking clergy members. The situation, known as the "Sika Golf" affair, began when the abbot of Wat Tritossathep, a prominent Bangkok temple, suddenly left the monkhood, raising suspicions of misconduct.
The scandal came to light due to a woman's attempt to blackmail a senior monk, the abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep in Bangkok. The woman, Wilawan Emsawat, also known as "Golf," is accused of seducing monks, mostly through social media, and then blackmailing them for money.
Authorities discovered tens of thousands of pornographic images and videos on Wilawan's devices, which depicted her in intimate acts with several senior monks. This discovery led to the identification of at least eight monks involved, with some already defrocked.
Wilawan is accused of demanding substantial sums from the monks to keep their relationships secret. In one case, she demanded 7.2 million baht (approximately £165,000) from an abbot, claiming she was pregnant, although this claim was later found to be false.
The police linked Wilawan to the case and searched her house on July 4, finding five phones containing 80,000 pictures and videos of her with senior monks from multiple famous Buddhist temples. Wilawan was arrested on suspicion of extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen property, as part of a broader investigation into fraud and corruption involving temple donations.
The scandal has led to the defrocking of at least nine senior monks. The Thai Buddhist establishment has been severely impacted, with calls for greater accountability and reform within the monastic order. The police are working to locate any remaining monks involved and to prevent further damage to the reputation of Buddhism in Thailand.
Senior monks receive monthly stipends ranging from 4,100 to 13,700 baht from public funds and are thus considered public officials. The money transfers to Wilawan from these monks were in the range of four to eight digits. Phra Theppatcharaporn, a senior monk, also transferred 12.8 million baht from his personal bank account to Wilawan.
Wilawan told investigators that she had sex with nine monks, eight of whom have since left the monkhood. Three other monks are said to have had non-sexual relationships with the suspect, while an unspecified number of others are being investigated for possible criminal offences.
The Thai Buddhist community is left grappling with the fallout from this scandal, calling for increased transparency and reform within the monastic order to restore trust and uphold the sanctity of the institution.
- In the midst of the "Sika Golf" affair, a fusion of health-and-wellness and crime-and-justice issues has emerged, as sexually explicit content and blackmail accusations implicate senior Thai monks.
- The general news of the defrocking of several high-ranking monks in Thailand has also shed light on the financial aspect, with monks transferring funds to a suspect, raising concerns about potential mismanagement of public funds and finance.
- The impact of the "Sika Golf" scandal on science and sexual health is evident as health authorities investigate the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases among the involved parties.
