Ninth High-Ranking Monk Resigns in Controversial 'Golf' Temple Scandal
In a shocking turn of events, a 35-year-old Thai woman named Wilawan Emsawat, better known as "Sika Golf," has become embroiled in a significant scandal involving senior Buddhist monks in Thailand. Accusations of secret relationships, blackmail, and financial misconduct have rocked the Thai Buddhist community, with at least 12 temples under scrutiny due to their monks' involvement with her.
The scandal surfaced when police began investigating the abrupt departure of a monk from the Wat Tri Thotsathep temple. This investigation led them to Wirawan's home, where they discovered evidence including pornographic files showing her with top-ranking monks and politicians.
Key allegations against Sika Golf include extortion and blackmail, using evidence of illicit relationships to coerce or blackmail monks for money. Financial transactions are also a concern, with reports suggesting she received around 385 million baht (approximately $11.9 million) in her bank accounts over the past three years, much of which she reportedly lost gambling online.
Sika Golf has been charged with enabling malfeasance, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods, as part of a broader investigation into financial misconduct involving temples. The provinces involved in the scandal are Bangkok, Phitsanulok, and now Phichit.
The latest casualty in this scandal is Phra Thepwatcharasitthimethi, the abbot of Wat Tha Luang, who left the monkhood on Tuesday. He was the chief monk in Phichit and had previously been linked financially and possibly sexually to Sika Golf. His departure follows the resignation of eight other senior monks due to their connections with her.
Phra Thepwatcharasitthimethi, who reverted to using his layman's name, Wirach, before leaving Wat Tak Fa, did not express any grudges towards anyone. He expressed forgiveness towards everyone involved and did not comment on the allegations against Sika Golf. The ceremony to end his monkhood was held at Wat Tak Fa in Tak Fa district, Nakhon Sawan province.
The location of Phra Thepwatcharasitthimethi after leaving Wat Tha Luang remains unknown. The scandal has led to misuse of temple funds in six provinces, highlighting issues of corruption and abuse of power within religious institutions.
As the investigation continues, the Thai Buddhist community awaits resolution and a return to its traditional values of honesty, integrity, and spiritual guidance.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-woman-accused-extortion-blackmail-monks-faces-charges-2021-07-15/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58049059 [3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/14/thai-woman-accused-of-extortion-blackmail-faces-charges [4] https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-woman-accused-of-extortion-blackmail-faces-charges-20210715 [5] https://www.straitstimes.com/world/asia/thai-woman-accused-of-extortion-blackmail-faces-charges-20210715
The scandal surrounding Sika Golf, a renowned Thai golfer, has expanded beyond illegal activities with monks, as it has been apparent that she has been involved in gambling, losing an estimated $11.9 million over the past three years. Interestingly, Sika Golf's love for sports isn't limited to golf, as she seems to have a keen interest in golfing with top-ranking Thai politicians as well.
