Thai Woman Arrested for Extorting Monks Using Sexual Videos

The arrest of a woman accused of extorting over $11 million from monks by using videos of sexual encounters has reignited concerns about misconduct within Thailand’s Buddhist institution. Investigations reveal a troubling pattern of exploitation and call for reform in monastic regulations.

Thai authorities have apprehended a woman known as "Ms Golf," accused of exploiting her sexual relationships with monks to extort significant sums of money. Reports indicate that she targeted at least nine monks, managing to collect approximately 385 million baht (around $11.9 million) over three years. A police press conference revealed that a raid on her home uncovered an astounding trove of evidence, including over 80,000 photos and videos used as blackmail.

The alarming case has drawn attention to the recent allegations of misconduct and ethical breaches within Thailand's revered Buddhist community, including issues of drug trafficking and sexual misconduct. It came to light when an abbot in Bangkok abruptly left the monkhood after being coerced by Ms Golf, who claimed to have had a relationship with him and demanded over seven million baht in child support, asserting that she had his baby.

This exploitative pattern appeared consistent among other monks who similarly transferred funds to Ms Golf, leading investigators to categorize her actions as a "modus operandi." Authorities discovered that most of the funds had already been withdrawn, with some reportedly funneled into online gambling.

In response to the growing scandal, the Sangha Supreme Council, the governing body for Buddhism in Thailand, has announced plans to establish a special committee tasked with reviewing the regulations that govern monks. Simultaneously, the government is advocating for stricter penalties, including incarceration, for those who violate the monastic code.

Additionally, Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn recently rescinded a royal decree that had awarded elevated titles to 81 monks, citing the distress caused to the Buddhist community by these wrongful acts.

For a country where Buddhism is practiced by over 90% of the population, the ongoing incidents have elicited criticism regarding disciplinary measures within the monastic system. Experts emphasize that the hierarchical structure makes it difficult for junior monks to speak out against misconduct for fear of repercussions.

Some observers, however, perceive the ongoing police investigations and scrutiny from the Sangha council as a vital step towards reform. Notably, Prakirati Satasut, a sociology scholar, highlighted the importance of transparency in restoring public faith in the institution, advocating for necessary reforms to eradicate entrenched issues of improper conduct.