18.07.2025 11:40
A 35-year-old woman named Wilawan Emsawat in Thailand engaged in sexual relations with some Buddhist monks, secretly recording these moments and blackmailing the monks for large sums of money. This incident made headlines in the country. The scandal began when one monk renounced his monkhood and disappeared. The monk had been in a secret relationship with Emsawat.
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A major scandal has erupted in Thailand. A 35-year-old woman named Wilawan Emsawat was arrested on charges of having sexual relations with some Buddhist monks, secretly recording these moments, and then blackmailing the monks for large sums of money. Emsawat's demand for a total of £9 million (approximately 380 million baht) through this method has made headlines across the country.
The scandal began when a highly respected monk known as Phra Thep Wachirapamok (also known as Monk Arch), who served at an important temple in the capital Bangkok, suddenly left his monastic duties and disappeared.
However, it soon became clear that the missing monk had been in a secret relationship with Wilawan Emsawat. The woman claimed to be pregnant and demanded approximately £179,000. When Monk Arch refused to pay this amount, the woman revealed the relationship to other monks at the temple. Following this incident, it was alleged that the monk fled Thailand.
During a police search of Wilawan's home, five mobile phones were found. It was reported that these phones contained tens of thousands of explicit photos and videos taken with the missing monk and some other high-ranking monks. In some images, the woman may also be seen with politicians.
Colonel Anek Taosuparp, the police official leading the investigation, stated that the woman first gained the monks' trust, then had relationships with them and blackmailed them with these images.
Speaking to the Thai press, Wilawan admitted to having relationships with two monks and a religious teacher. She also confessed to obtaining various material gains, including luxury gifts, a Mercedes-Benz SLK200 car, bank transfers, and special bank cards.
Following the incident, 12 Buddhist temples in Thailand were put under investigation. At least 9 monks voluntarily resigned from their positions, and this number is expected to rise.
The Sangha Supreme Council, the highest Buddhist institution in Thailand, announced that it would prepare new regulations that include more modern and deterrent sanctions following this incident. Authorities stated that the Sangha Law and related regulations would be reviewed, and efforts would be made to protect Buddhism and regain public trust.
The National Office of Buddhism proposed that those who are expelled from monkhood due to serious rule violations face up to 7 years in prison and a fine of 140,000 baht (approximately £3,200). The same penalty is also planned to apply to civilians who knowingly engage in sexual relations with monks.
Buddhist monks take a vow of celibacy to avoid worldly desires. However, such scandals have seriously undermined trust in monks and temples in Thailand in recent years.
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