2025-07-16T14:36:12Z

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In a country where monks are revered as pillars of spiritual purity, a shocking scandal has rocked the very foundation of Thailand's Buddhist community. Imagine the audacity of one woman who single-handedly dismantled the serene façade of monastic life by embroiling nine monks in a scandal so sensational, it sounds more like a plot from a crime thriller than real life.

Meet Wilawan Emsawat, or 'Ms. Golf' as she's notoriously known now. This 35-year-old woman allegedly turned seduction into an art form, ensnaring Buddhist abbots and senior monks in her web of deceit. Over the past three years, she extorted a staggering 385 million baht (equivalent to around Rs 101.7 crore) by leveraging incriminating photos and videos of illicit affairs. At least nine monks have been disrobed and expelled from monkhood in the wake of this seismic scandal.

The scandal came to light when an abbot from a famed Bangkok temple abruptly left the monkhood. It was a domino effect; investigators soon uncovered a trail of manipulation. Wilawan had reportedly claimed pregnancy, demanding 7.2 million baht in child support, a strategy she had applied successfully with other monks as well.

A raid of her home revealed a treasure trove of over 80,000 photos and videos stored on her phones, evidence of her alleged blackmail operations. Her modus operandi was clear: target senior monks, extract money, and spend lavishly on her vices, including online gambling.

As the scandal unraveled, the Royal Thai Police launched an unprecedented probe into the monkhood. The Sangha Supreme Council, Thailand's Buddhist governing body, is now compelled to revisit monastic laws, aiming to mend the public's shaken trust in Buddhist institutions.

This is not an isolated incident. The Buddhist institution in Thailand has been plagued with various scandals, from drug offenses to financial frauds, involving monks. Authorities are now contemplating stricter regulations and punishments for transgressors, as the public demands accountability.