Thai police have arrested a woman known as "Ms Golf" for allegedly exploiting her sexual relationships with monks to extort around $11.9 million, raising serious concerns about reform within the Buddhist institution amid ongoing scandals.
Thailand's Monastic Misconduct Exposed: Woman Arrested for Extorting Monks with Explicit Material
Thailand's Monastic Misconduct Exposed: Woman Arrested for Extorting Monks with Explicit Material
A scandal involving a Thai woman using intimate videos to blackmail monks has ignited discussions on accountability within Buddhism's sacred institution.
Thai authorities have apprehended a woman who reportedly engaged in sexual relations with several monks and subsequently blackmailed them using explicit photos and videos. Identified as "Ms Golf," she is said to have had sexual encounters with at least nine monks and collected an estimated 385 million baht (approximately $11.9 million or £8.8 million) over a three-year period through her extortion schemes.
The case garnered attention after police were alerted in June when an abbot in Bangkok abruptly left the monkhood due to Ms Golf's demands. Authorities revealed that Ms Golf had a relationship with this monk in May 2024, during which time she claimed to have given birth to his child and sought child support exceeding seven million baht.
Upon investigation, it emerged that numerous other monks had also transferred money to Ms Golf, demonstrating a consistent pattern of exploiting vulnerable clergy members. A police raid on her residence uncovered over 80,000 explicit images and videos used in her extortion. Currently, Ms Golf faces multiple legal charges, including extortion, money laundering, and possession of stolen assets.
In response to the scandal, the governing body of Thai Buddhism, the Sangha Supreme Council, announced plans to create a dedicated committee to review monastic regulations. Alongside this, the government seeks tougher penalties for monks who violate ethical codes. Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn has even annulled a royal decree that previously awarded higher titles to 81 monks due to recent misconduct that has greatly distressed the Buddhist community.
The ongoing series of scandals surrounding Thai monks has raised questions about the integrity and accountability of the Buddhist institution, which holds deep esteem with over 90% of the population identifying as Buddhist. High-profile cases from the past few years, including allegations against flamboyant monks related to sex crimes and drug trafficking, highlight persistent issues. Critics attribute part of the problem to the strict hierarchical nature of the monastic system, which makes it difficult for junior monks to report misconduct.
While many have called for reforms and increased transparency, scholars argue that ongoing investigations are essential to restore public trust and to ensure accountability within the Sangha. The real challenge lies in whether the Supreme Sangha Council will enact meaningful changes to address the underlying problems plaguing the institution.
