Thai Buddhist Monk Sex Scandal Defrocks Multiple Monks, Spurs Legal Reforms

A major scandal has erupted in Thailand involving Wilawan Emsawat, known as 'Golf,' who allegedly seduced and blackmailed multiple high-ranking Buddhist monks, leading to their defrocking and disappearance. Police seized over 80,000 explicit photos and videos implicating monks in sexual misconduct, a serious breach of their celibacy vows, and uncovered substantial financial transactions allegedly used for online gambling. The scandal has severely damaged public trust in the Buddhist monastic order and prompted calls for legal reforms to criminalize sexual relations involving monks and protect the monastic institution's integrity. Thai authorities are investigating the misuse of temple funds linked to the case, with some monks stripped of their titles and others still under scrutiny or in hiding. Golf admitted to having affairs with monks and influential laymen, using threats of exposure to extort money, which she spent on gambling. The case highlights gaps in Thai law, which currently limits criminal prosecution of monks for misconduct, and has drawn strong reactions from the public and the monarchy.