• Source:JND
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Thailand's Buddhist establishment has been shaken by a big scandal after six elder monks were defrocked and two others disappeared following revelations of sexual misconduct and blackmail involving a woman who allegedly extorted large sums of money from high-ranking clergy. According to the South China Morning Post. The scandal arose after the mysterious disappearance of the abbot of Wat Tritossathep, one of Bangkok's major temples. The abbot, only known as Arch, allegedly escaped into neighboring Laos in June after a woman he had an affair with threatened to reveal their tryst if he did not give her 7.8 million baht (around 241,000 USD).

Woman Caught with More Than 80,000 Pornographic Files

Based on Thai police and anti-corruption authorities, the scandal was uncovered when police stormed the residence of a 35-year-old woman known as Golf on July 4. Detectives discovered over 80,000 pornographic photos and videos on several mobile phones. Some of the files reportedly depict Golf engaging in sexual activities with high-ranking monks. Golf admitted to affairs with multiple monks and powerful laymen, including politicians, officials said to South China Morning Post. She explained to investigators that she used threats of exposure to blackmail the monks into providing her with money, which she spent on online gambling. Golf also claimed she had children with some of the men but listed male relatives as the fathers on official documents to avoid scrutiny.

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The National Office of Buddhism reported that Thai law today does not permit police to criminally prosecute monks and laymen for misconduct harming the religion. Monks today can only be defrocked for violating monastic rules and then released. But the authorities stated criminal charges would be brought if temple funds were used to pay Golf or to cover up the scandal.

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National Office of Buddhism director Ittiporn Chan-iam described the controversy as an opportunity to amend monastic laws. He called for one to seven years imprisonment and 140,000-baht (about USD 3,800) fines for monks dismissed for such offenses. He further suggested laypeople who knowingly engage in sex with monks or novices should be given the same punishment. Thailand's highest Buddhist ruling body, the Sangha Supreme Council, has established a special committee to study monastic laws in the wake of the scandal. "There must be closing of loopholes in the law and the building up of public confidence in the monastic order," Chatchapol Chaiyaporn, acting secretary-general of the council said this to South China Morning Post.