Following a scandal involving Wilawan Emsawat, also known as "Ms. Golf," who allegedly had relationships with dozens of monks and senior Buddhist figures, Thai police have established a center to address misconduct within the monastic community. Major General Jaroonkiat Parnkaew, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), stated on 16/7 that he has requested the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) to provide the identification numbers of approximately 300,000 monks nationwide to conduct background checks and identify those with a history of misconduct or criminal activity.
The center has already received numerous complaints, including allegations of sexual relationships between senior monks and women. Police will also review previous allegations involving monks that the NOB had previously dismissed.
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Thai monks practice Buddhist rituals in Narathiwat on 10/7. Photo: AFP |
Thai monks practice Buddhist rituals in Narathiwat on 10/7. Photo: AFP
The deputy CIB commissioner noted past difficulties in cooperating with the NOB, suggesting the religious body "doesn't seem to take complaints seriously." He emphasized a "zero tolerance" policy for this investigation, although the final decision regarding disciplinary action rests with the NOB. "I don't want these unresolved issues to fester within our nation's Buddhism," he said.
In late June, Thai authorities suspected that the abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan in Bangkok, Wachirapamok, had fled due to embezzlement of temple funds. On 4/7, the CIB searched the home of 35-year-old Ms. Golf for evidence related to Wachirapamok.
During the search, police discovered 86,000 photos and videos on five of Ms. Golf's phones, documenting her intimate encounters with several high-ranking monks across various provinces, shocking Thailand. After 10 days of investigation, the number of monks implicated in the scandal rose to over 25. At least eight monks were confirmed to have had relationships with Ms. Golf, and 15 had transferred money to her over several years. Many monks have been defrocked, and some have fled their temples.
In Thailand, where Buddhism is the unofficial state religion, sexual relations are considered a serious violation of monastic discipline. Monks found to have engaged in sexual activity are immediately defrocked and may be expelled from their temples and monastic orders, forbidden from re-ordaining.
Thanh Danh (Bangkok Post, Nation)
