- By Shivangi Sharma
- Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a move that has stunned both the public and religious communities, a Senate panel in Thailand has proposed amending the Sangha Act to criminally prosecute women involved in sex scandals with Buddhist monks. The proposal, made by Warawut Tiranan, deputy chairman of the Senate committee on religious affairs, ethics, arts, and culture, follows the emergence of a scandal involving several senior monks and a Thai woman identified by her nickname, Golf.
Under the current Sangha Act, monks caught violating celibacy are defrocked, but there are no legal consequences for the women involved. Warawut’s proposal aims to change that, sparking controversy over the fairness and gender bias of the suggestion.
Scandal That Rocked Thai Buddhism
The scandal gained national attention after Golf allegedly lured multiple monks into sexual relationships and then blackmailed them for large sums of money. One such monk was traced sending temple funds to Golf, which triggered a broader investigation by Thailand’s Royal Police Central Investigation Bureau. As of now, at least eleven monks, including senior abbots, have been defrocked.
Arrest And Explosive Evidence
Golf, whose real name is Wilawan Emsawat, was arrested on charges of extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. Authorities say she demanded 7.8 million baht (USD241,000) from one monk after claiming to be pregnant with his child. Police later found more than 80,000 pornographic images and videos on her phones, some allegedly featuring her with monks and influential laymen, including politicians.
Golf has since confessed to coercing monks into paying her, allegedly to support her online gambling addiction. She also told investigators that she had children with some of the monks but registered male relatives as the fathers to avoid scrutiny. The investigation first began after the sudden disappearance of the abbot of Bangkok’s Wat Tritossathep Temple raised red flags.
Despite the shocking nature of the scandal, anti-corruption officials say the National Office of Buddhism currently lacks the authority to punish either monks or laypeople who harm the reputation of the religion. The proposed amendment to the Sangha Act would, for the first time, introduce criminal penalties for women involved in sexual misconduct with monks, a recommendation that has already ignited fierce debate over legal double standards and gender justice in Thailand.
