In a stunning scandal that has rocked Thailand's Buddhist community, local authorities arrested a woman known only as "Ms Golf" for allegedly engaging in sexual relationships with monks and then blackmailing them for money. Police report that she had relations with at least nine monks over a three-year period, amassing around 385 million baht (approximately $11.9 million) through extortion.
Authorities began their investigation in June after an abbot in Bangkok suddenly left the monkhood, reportedly under pressure from Ms Golf. Following the probe, police discovered that she claimed to be the mother of the abbot's child and demanded child support exceeding seven million baht. This tactic apparently became her standard operating procedure as various monks fell victim to her scheme.
With over 80,000 photos and videos seized during a search of her residence, Ms Golf now faces multiple charges, including extortion and money laundering. Thai authorities are also bolstering oversight of the Buddhist institution, demanding stricter penalties for misconduct among monks.
The revelations have prompted the Sangha Supreme Council to establish a committee to reassess monastic regulations, and even Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn intervened to revoke titles from certain monks accused of misconduct. Despite long-standing criticisms of discipline within the Thai Buddhist hierarchy, scholars urge that this incident may signal an essential turning point for reform within the centuries-old institution.
Experts suggest that while the hierarchical nature of the monastic system often silences junior monks who witness wrongdoing, ongoing investigations could pave the way for increased accountability and transparency—key components for restoring public trust in the institution.
