Thai woman accused of luring senior monks into sexual relationships, blackmailing them with nudes

A sex and extortion scandal has shaken Thailand’s Buddhist community after police arrested a woman accused of luring senior monks into sexual relationships and blackmailing them.

The scandal has resulted in at least nine monks being disrobed and has ignited public debate over moral accountability within the clergy.

Arrest of "Ms Golf"

Police identified the suspect as Wilawan Emsawat, a woman in her mid-30s, known by the nickname “Ms Golf.” She was arrested at her luxury residence in Nonthaburi, north of Bangkok, and now faces charges of extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen property.

Investigators say Wilawan initiated contact with monks through social media, entered into intimate relationships with them, and later used sexually explicit videos and photos to demand large sums of money. In one case, she allegedly demanded 7.2 million baht (approx. $222,000) from an abbot after claiming to be pregnant with his child, reports The Daily Star.

Evidence and financial trail

Police seized multiple mobile phones containing over 80,000 photos and videos of Wilawan with various monks. Authorities believe she amassed nearly 385 million baht (about $11.9 million or ₹102 crore) over the past three years through blackmail schemes, reports BBC. Much of the money was reportedly funneled into illegal online gambling platforms.

Senior monks disrobed, one in hiding

The scandal has led to the disrobing of at least nine monks, including several senior abbots from prominent temples. One high-ranking monk fled the monkhood after allegedly being targeted by Wilawan, prompting police to launch a nationwide investigation.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn has since revoked royal titles from monks involved in the scandal, and the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau are probing links.

Public backlash

The scandal has sparked outrage in Thailand, where more than 90 per cent of the population identifies as Buddhist. While sexual or financial misconduct involving monks is not unheard of, the scale and seniority of those involved have made this case particularly alarming.

A Senate committee is considering new laws to criminalise sexual relations with monks, though critics argue such proposals shift blame onto women while downplaying the monks’ own responsibilities.

“The scandal exposes deep hypocrisy within the Buddhist hierarchy,” wrote Bangkok Post columnist Sanitsuda Ekachai. “Women have long been scapegoated for monks’ moral failings, while systemic issues within the clergy remain ignored.”

Thailand currently has an estimated 200,000 monks and 85,000 novices.