Police in Thailand have apprehended a woman on Tuesday for allegedly coercing multiple Buddhist monks into engaging in intimate relationships and then pressuring them to make substantial payments to conceal their actions. This breach of the celibacy rule among monks has caused shockwaves within Buddhist institutions and captured the public’s attention in Thailand in recent weeks. Following the scandal, at least nine abbots and senior monks have been dismissed from the monkhood, as confirmed by the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau.
The woman, identified as Wilawan Emsawat in her mid-30s, was arrested at her residence in Nonthaburi province, located north of Bangkok. She faces charges including extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. Authorities revealed that funds were traced back to her from a senior monk’s temple account in northern Thailand.
Wilawan has not provided a statement since her arrest, and it remains uncertain if she has legal representation. In a statement to local media prior to her apprehension, she admitted to one relationship and acknowledged providing financial assistance to the monk involved.
Instances of scandals involving monks arise periodically in Thailand, although they typically do not implicate high-ranking clergy members. This case sheds light on the significant sums of money donated to temples overseen by abbots, contradicting the modest lifestyle expected of monks as per their religious principles.
Police disclosed that Wilawan specifically targeted senior monks for financial gain, revealing that several monks transferred substantial amounts of money following the initiation of romantic relationships with her. Over the past three years, approximately 385 million baht ($11.9 million) flowed into Wilawan’s bank accounts, with a significant portion reportedly spent on online gambling platforms.
The investigation was triggered last month after an abbot of a prominent Bangkok temple abruptly renounced monkhood. Authorities discovered that the abbot had allegedly been blackmailed by Wilawan over their romantic involvement, with demands for 7.2 million baht ($222,000) in financial assistance.
Jaroonkiat Pankaew, a deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, emphasized the urgency of arresting Wilawan, noting her perceived threat. Thai media reported a substantial collection of photos, videos, and chat logs on her mobile phones, indicating intimate interactions with multiple monks, potentially for the purpose of blackmail.
Thai monks predominantly adhere to the Theravada sect, which mandates celibacy and prohibits any form of contact with women. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has instructed authorities to review and tighten existing laws concerning monks and temples, particularly regarding financial transparency, to restore confidence in Buddhism.
The Central Investigation Bureau has introduced a platform on Facebook for reporting misbehaving monks and plans to conduct widespread investigations. Authorities anticipate that this scrutiny will prompt significant reforms and enhance accountability within the monkhood.
