Police have detained a woman who allegedly blackmailed Buddhist monks in Thailand using thousands of videos and photographs. Authorities found substantial evidence of her extortion, leading to public outrage and calls for reform in the Buddhist institution.
Thai Woman Arrested for Blackmailing Monks with Exploitative Videos
Thai Woman Arrested for Blackmailing Monks with Exploitative Videos
A woman known as "Ms. Golf" has been arrested in Thailand for extorting at least nine monks, leveraging explicit materials to demand significant sums of money.
Thai authorities have apprehended a woman identified only as "Ms. Golf" for allegedly engaging in sexual relationships with several monks and then extorting them using explicit videos and images. The police revealed that she extorted at least nine monks, amassing approximately 385 million baht (around $11.9 million) over the past three years. During a search of her residence, investigators discovered over 80,000 photos and videos, solidifying the blackmail claims.
This case emerged mid-June when police were alerted by the abrupt departure of an abbot from the monastic community, a fallout stemming from Ms. Golf's manipulation. Reportedly, Ms. Golf had a relationship with the monk in May 2024 and later made a child support demand exceeding seven million baht, claiming she had borne his child. Investigators soon uncovered that she had employed a similar strategy with other monks, effectively revealing her "modus operandi."
Authorities noted that most extorted funds were quickly withdrawn, with some seemingly funneled into online gambling. Accusations against Ms. Golf now include extortion, money laundering, and handling stolen goods. To combat such misconduct, the authorities have launched a hotline to report monk-related offenses.
In light of these scandals, the Sangha Supreme Council—the body overseeing Thai Buddhism—has announced plans to form a committee dedicated to reviewing existing monastic regulations. Additionally, the government is advocating for stricter penalties for monks who violate their religious commitments.
The gravity of these events prompted a reaction from Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn, who revoked a royal command issued in June that had awarded higher titles to 81 monks, citing the damaging effects of recent misconduct on the Buddhist community's reputation.
Monks hold a prestigious status in Thailand, where about 90% of the populace identifies as Buddhist. However, this incident highlights ongoing issues of misbehavior within the monastic community, overshadowing its revered status. Past scandals have included cases of fraud and drug-related arrests involving monks, indicating a concerning trend.
Experts note the rigid hierarchy within the Buddhist institution may contribute to a culture of silence regarding misconduct. Suraphot Thaweesak, a religious scholar, remarked on this authoritarian structure, suggesting that junior monks fear repercussions for reporting unethical behavior.
Conversely, some individuals advocate for the current investigations as essential for promoting necessary reforms within the Buddhist establishment. Prakirati Satasut, a sociologist at Thammasat University, emphasized that revealing the truth behind these allegations is vital for restoring public faith in the institution. The outcome of the Sangha Supreme Council's review could result in significant changes, depending on the extent of accountability measures adopted.
