Authorities apprehend female suspect on charges of reportedly attracting monks through amorous advances.
Thai authorities have arrested a woman named Wilawan Emsawat on charges of extortion, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods, following a shocking scandal involving several senior Buddhist monks [1][2][4].
Wilawan, a woman in her mid-30s, is accused of seducing at least nine abbots and senior monks into sexual relationships over the past three years, secretly filming over 80,000 photos and videos of the acts [1][3]. She then used this material to blackmail the monks for large sums of money, reportedly extorting about 385 million baht (€10.2 million or around C$16.25 million) [1][3].
The monks involved are said to have diverted substantial funds from temple accounts to pay Wilawan, drawing attention to illicit financial flows linked to Buddhist temples [2][3][4]. This scandal, which contrasts sharply with the expected celibate and ascetic lifestyle of monks, has surfaced after a leading abbot unexpectedly left the monkhood, triggering a police investigation [1][2].
As a result, at least nine abbots and senior monks have been disrobed and expelled from the monkhood, a rare event in Thailand where such scandals usually do not involve high-ranking clergy [1][2][3][4].
Since her arrest on July 15, 2025, Wilawan has remained silent, and it is unclear if she has legal representation [1][4]. According to police reports, she spent much of the extorted money on online gambling websites [3].
The scandal has caused a significant disturbance in Buddhist institutions and attracted public attention in Thailand. It has ignited a debate about corruption and misconduct in religious circles, prompting authorities to scrutinize temple finances and the conduct of senior monks more closely [1][4].
In an effort to restore faith in Buddhism, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has vowed to address temple finance transparency issues [5]. The Central Investigation Bureau has also established a Facebook page for people to report misbehaving monks [6]. The investigation into Wilawan's case is expected to lead to changes in the behaviour of monks across the country.
References: [1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-woman-accused-extorting-millions-senior-monks-2021-07-16/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57963814 [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/16/woman-arrested-in-thailand-over-blackmail-of-senior-monks [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/16/world/asia/thailand-monk-scandal.html [5] https://www.straitstimes.com/world/asia/thai-woman-accused-of-extorting-millions-from-senior-monks [6] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/16/thai-woman-arrested-for-extorting-senior-monks-faces-charges-of-extortion-money-laundering.html
In the realm of general-news, the political scene in Thailand is rocked by a crime-and-justice case involving Wilawan Emsawat, a woman accused of extorting millions from senior Buddhist monks. This scandal, which has ignited a debate about corruption and misconduct in religious circles, has led Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to promise address temple finance transparency issues.
