For reference only | Picture courtesy of Caleb Quinley

 

Recently, Thailand's Buddhist community has been shaken by a scandal involving senior monks, revealing deep-seated issues within the religious sector. At least eleven high-ranking monks, including the revered abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan, have been defrocked following allegations of romantic liaisons with a woman named Wilawan “Sika Golf” Emsawat.

 

Police investigations uncovered thousands of explicit images and videos on Golf’s phone, reportedly showing monks engaged in sexual acts while still in their robes. These discoveries have not only shocked the nation but also raised urgent questions about the accountability and integrity of the monkhood, which has long been held in high regard.

 

The Role of Wealth in the Scandal

 

The scandal underscores a significant problem within the religious sector: the accumulation of wealth by temples and senior monks, often without oversight. According to Thanthip Srisuwannaket, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), temples with substantial financial holdings are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and blackmail.

 

“The richer the temple, the bigger the target,” Thanthip noted, pointing out that temples lack a checks-and-balances system. Temples have risen from 41,000 in 2019 to 44,000 in 2023, illustrating growth that is not matched by financial oversight.

 

Prayut Prathetsena, vice-president of the Dharma Army Lawyers Foundation, highlighted how monks can earn considerably from private ceremonies, accumulating wealth tax-free. It's not uncommon for senior monks to have personal accounts reaching 50 million baht.

 

Unregulated Wealth and Exploitation

 

The lack of regulation in how temples manage their finances has made them prime targets for exploitation. Devotees donate freely, and there are no laws preventing monks from owning assets. Temples generate income through various activities such as car parking, cremations, and sales, often marked up significantly from production costs.

 

Prayuth, an expert in Thai religious affairs, asserts that the system itself is at fault for allowing this unchecked growth of wealth. The lack of a transparent financial management system within temples leads to vulnerabilities, enabling scammers to exploit both monks and devotees. Despite existing under the Sangha Act, temples handle finances independently with little standardisation or oversight, making it too easy for financial irregularities to occur.

 

Reforming the System for Transparency

 

With the recent scandal piling pressure on religious authorities, reforming the monkhood’s financial management systems is now seen as urgent. Thanthip calls for giving the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) greater authority to scrutinise temple finances. Suggested reforms include meticulous record-keeping and employing professional accountants if necessary. The National Office of Buddhism is now advocating for legislation that would enforce greater transparency and stricter penalties for misconduct.

 

Sri Lanka serves as an example of effective religious financial oversight, where temple management must submit financial records biannually, under a system monitored by the government. Thailand could adapt similar measures to ensure transparency and accountability.

 

Legislative Action and Future Steps

 

NOB director Inthaporn Jan-iam reports that action is underway to prevent further erosion of public faith in Buddhism. There is a pressing need to revise laws like the Sangha Act, which has been in effect for over 50 years without significant updates to address current issues. Proposed new legislation would tighten regulation, including enforcing harsh penalties for monks who break vows of celibacy or make fraudulent claims. The new laws would also hold accountable anyone who entices monks into misconduct.

 

If implemented, these reforms could usher in a new era of accountability and transparency in Thailand’s religious sector, helping restore public trust and faith in Buddhism. The scandal serves as a clarion call for change, aiming to preserve the integrity of the monkhood and protect it from future vulnerabilities. Ultimately, these events signify a pivotal moment in Thai Buddhism, catalysing essential reforms to secure its future.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-07-17

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

For reference only | Picture courtesy of Caleb Quinley

 

Recently, Thailand's Buddhist community has been shaken by a scandal involving senior monks, revealing deep-seated issues within the religious sector. At least eleven high-ranking monks, including the revered abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan, have been defrocked following allegations of romantic liaisons with a woman named Wilawan “Sika Golf” Emsawat.

 

Police investigations uncovered thousands of explicit images and videos on Golf’s phone, reportedly showing monks engaged in sexual acts while still in their robes. These discoveries have not only shocked the nation but also raised urgent questions about the accountability and integrity of the monkhood, which has long been held in high regard.

 

The Role of Wealth in the Scandal

 

The scandal underscores a significant problem within the religious sector: the accumulation of wealth by temples and senior monks, often without oversight. According to Thanthip Srisuwannaket, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), temples with substantial financial holdings are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and blackmail.

 

“The richer the temple, the bigger the target,” Thanthip noted, pointing out that temples lack a checks-and-balances system. Temples have risen from 41,000 in 2019 to 44,000 in 2023, illustrating growth that is not matched by financial oversight.

 

Prayut Prathetsena, vice-president of the Dharma Army Lawyers Foundation, highlighted how monks can earn considerably from private ceremonies, accumulating wealth tax-free. It's not uncommon for senior monks to have personal accounts reaching 50 million baht.

 

Unregulated Wealth and Exploitation

 

The lack of regulation in how temples manage their finances has made them prime targets for exploitation. Devotees donate freely, and there are no laws preventing monks from owning assets. Temples generate income through various activities such as car parking, cremations, and sales, often marked up significantly from production costs.

 

Prayuth, an expert in Thai religious affairs, asserts that the system itself is at fault for allowing this unchecked growth of wealth. The lack of a transparent financial management system within temples leads to vulnerabilities, enabling scammers to exploit both monks and devotees. Despite existing under the Sangha Act, temples handle finances independently with little standardisation or oversight, making it too easy for financial irregularities to occur.

 

Reforming the System for Transparency

 

With the recent scandal piling pressure on religious authorities, reforming the monkhood’s financial management systems is now seen as urgent. Thanthip calls for giving the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) greater authority to scrutinise temple finances. Suggested reforms include meticulous record-keeping and employing professional accountants if necessary. The National Office of Buddhism is now advocating for legislation that would enforce greater transparency and stricter penalties for misconduct.

 

Sri Lanka serves as an example of effective religious financial oversight, where temple management must submit financial records biannually, under a system monitored by the government. Thailand could adapt similar measures to ensure transparency and accountability.

 

Legislative Action and Future Steps

 

NOB director Inthaporn Jan-iam reports that action is underway to prevent further erosion of public faith in Buddhism. There is a pressing need to revise laws like the Sangha Act, which has been in effect for over 50 years without significant updates to address current issues. Proposed new legislation would tighten regulation, including enforcing harsh penalties for monks who break vows of celibacy or make fraudulent claims. The new laws would also hold accountable anyone who entices monks into misconduct.

 

If implemented, these reforms could usher in a new era of accountability and transparency in Thailand’s religious sector, helping restore public trust and faith in Buddhism. The scandal serves as a clarion call for change, aiming to preserve the integrity of the monkhood and protect it from future vulnerabilities. Ultimately, these events signify a pivotal moment in Thai Buddhism, catalysing essential reforms to secure its future.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-07-17

 

 

If only serving for their beliefs, they should not have these huge PRIVATE loads of cash.

All money should go to the temple but not any person.

Financial transactions should be supervised.

However, to be a monk means getting wealthy without work.

Living off the fat of the land.

Accountability, in Thailand. 

The temple anthem (courtesy Pink Floyd):

 

Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay, and you're okay
Money, it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash

New car, caviar, four-star daydream
Think I'll buy me a football team

Money, get back
I'm alright, Jack, keep your hands off of my stack
Money, it's a hit
Don't give me that do goody-good bullsh!t

I'm in the hi-fidelity first class travelling set
And I think I need a Learjet

Money, it's a crime
Share it fairly, but don't take a slice of my pie
Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today
 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

These discoveries have not only shocked the nation but also raised urgent questions about the accountability and integrity of the monkhood, which has long been held in high regard.

Always some bad apples, the problem is kicking them out.

My question is, why do these temples have so much money? They're already made of gold!

Golf’s mantra every morning, bonk a monk, bonk a monk, bonk a monk 

8 minutes ago, damian said:

The temple anthem (courtesy Pink Floyd):

 

Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay, and you're okay
Money, it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash

New car, caviar, four-star daydream
Think I'll buy me a football team

Money, get back
I'm alright, Jack, keep your hands off of my stack
Money, it's a hit
Don't give me that do goody-good bullsh!t

I'm in the hi-fidelity first class travelling set
And I think I need a Learjet

Money, it's a crime
Share it fairly, but don't take a slice of my pie
Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today
 

And your summary is?😳

15 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

And your summary is?😳

The last line of the song.

2 minutes ago, damian said:

The last line of the song.

Well, and you want to live without money? Did you try? I won't 

Scam religion!  

46 minutes ago, Nickcage49 said:

My question is, why do these temples have so much money? They're already made of gold!

Billions of baht comes directly from the Thai government.

55 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Always some bad apples, the problem is kicking them out.

The religion’s governing body in Thailand, the Supreme Sangha Council, can crack down on monk wrongdoing. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/15/thailand-buddhist-monks-bad-behaviour-crackdown

What is it doing now and how well?

From https://www.ibcworld.org/home/diaspora/Thailand :

• "In Thailand, the Buddhist government (represented by a Buddhist Head of State) recognizes the Sangha Supreme Council (Mahathera Samakhom) as the highest governing body for Buddhism. The Sangha Supreme Council is responsible for overseeing the administration and regulation of the Buddhist monastic community (Sangha) in Thailand. It consists of senior monks from the Theravada tradition and plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and standards of Buddhist monastic life in the country. (my italics)
• Additionally, the Department of Religious Affairs within the Ministry of Culture oversees Buddhist affairs and works in collaboration with various Buddhist organizations and institutions to promote and support Buddhism in Thailand."

By government recognition and oversight, the SSC appears to be essentially an extension of the government. So presumably where does authority ultimately rest?

41 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

Scam religion!  

 

In Thailand,  yes.

Else where not so much.

So the private jets never prompted any concerns, but now they are getting stressy over a few of them playing away.....also having ignored the billions robbed from the temples????

I used google translate to seek the Thai equivalent for "accountability."

Computer says no.🙃🙃

Some of The Monks in Thailand are certainly getting their Colleagues a bad name and reputation for greed and corruption 😳 

What happened to the Thai Monks compassion and doing good for the local  Community 🤔 

9 minutes ago, shackleton said:

Some of The Monks in Thailand are certainly getting their Colleagues a bad name and reputation for greed and corruption 😳 

What happened to the Thai Monks compassion and doing good for the local  Community 🤔 

 

Like all religions and political ideologies......they only work if humans aren't involved.

This the same golf that got 385 million bht over 3 years from monks 😳

Someone seriously needs to start investigating temples and who is running and living in them . The amounts of money some of these places seem to have is insane. 

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

If only serving for their beliefs, they should not have these huge PRIVATE loads of cash.

All money should go to the temple but not any person.

Financial transactions should be supervised.

However, to be a monk means getting wealthy without work.

Living off the fat of the land.

 

Thailand was here before in the 1800's when King Mongkut (Rama IV) reformed the Thai Sangha for the same reasons as we see today: the Sangha's lax adherence to the Vinaya which are the 227 rules of behavior set forth by Buddha over 2500 years ago for monks ingaged in the following of monks, the Sangha.

The problem being?  The precept involving "Not handling, touching, or keeping gold, silver, currency." The precept is part of the 30 rule Nissaggiya Pacittiya which itself is part of the Vinaya (227 monk's rules).  

During Rama IV's rein, he created the Dhammayut sect of Thai Buddhism.  One of the key differences between Dhammayut and its counterpart, the Maha Nikāya sect is that the Dhammayut sect maintains the precepts of the Vinaya strictly, so Dhammayut monks do not handle gold, silver, or currency. However, the monks in the Dhammayut sect make up a very small minority of the Theravada monks in Thailand.  The majority belong to the Maha Nikaya sect and make up the average monks you see in cities and villages.  And I'm speaking from experience having been ordained as a monk in the Maha Nikaya tradition - those monks openly handle money and keep donated money for themselves.  What do they do with it.  Many support their parents and families, or support philanthropy and charitable efforts, engage in proselytizing and spreading Buddhism outside of Thailand. And many drop it into a bank accounts for a rainy day, like when they decide to disrobe, if they decide to disrobe.  And some buy luxury items like cars, planes, watches, and other good as well as travel.

Now here's the issue, and Buddha saw this.  If you can handle money, break the monastic rules when it comes to money - then what other monastic rules can you break?  Lay people in villages and cities know that their monks handle money and have no problem with it.  But if a monk can handle money, then why not drive a car?  Why not touch woman?  Why not have a beer or some Thai whiskey? Why not have a girlfriend?
It's up the the laity to keep their monks in line, and although the laity gives monks a pass on money, then don't usually give them a pass on touching women and using drugs and alcohol.  Hence the outrage.

I think the laity misses the point.  We need another man like Rama the IV to again reform a rather wayward Sangha of Buddhist monks here in Thailand. There actions are again out of hand and they bring embarrassment to the Buddhist tradition and they harm the Dhamma.  

Unfortunately I doubt if anything will be done.  Thais will be outraged and rail about the excesses, and then will forget until the next monks are caught drinking and partying with gals.

What is happening are small changes such as the expansion of the Western monks engaged in the Forest Tradition who strictly adhere to the Vinaya and sees meditation to be the core of the practice.  The term is:  Morality, Meditation, Knowledge. Sila, Samahdi, Panna. But unfortunately the Theravada tradition in Thailand is slowing dying an ignoble death due to a thousand cuts as monks fail to adhere strictly to Buddhist morality which is the key to the ongoing health of the traditions. 

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Always some bad apples, the problem is kicking them out.

 

... i would say the real problem is to find and keep the very few good and honest ones ...

Should have more Buddhist holidays where booze is banned keeping up the good traditions of Buddhism here in the LOS.

14 minutes ago, ronster said:

This the same golf that got 385 million bht over 3 years from monks 😳

Someone seriously needs to start investigating temples and who is running and living in them . The amounts of money some of these places seem to have is insane. 

 

Far too many seriously big snouts in this particular trough..........those snouts guarantee nothing will change.

2 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

My question is, why do these temples have so much money? They're already made of gold!

 

Ask the  farangs who purchase the large ostentatious gold amulets and parade about with them on.

Scandal Spurs Demand for Religious Accountability

 

laughable, no religion in human history has ever embraced accountability.

4 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

Scandal Spurs Demand for Religious Accountability

 

laughable, no religion in human history has ever embraced accountability.

 

Well, Havens Gate, kind of did.

They all topped themselves. 

2 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

My question is, why do these temples have so much money? They're already made of gold!

 

Absolute madness......even the poorest of the poor will still pour what little money they have into temples.

 

We have a new temple, just finished. Stainless steel, smoked glass, polished marble....... close by the entrance there's a family of six, living in a single roomed, wooden shack, cooking on wood....kids dressed in rags.....madness..

The 4 noble truths ignore the fact that duhkha can be eliminated with millions in the bank, many awakened monks have found this truth in deep meditation while being blown.

Ludicrous, it should spur demands for accountability of women. This woman had sex with 10 men and then blackmailed 9 million pounds out of them.

 

The four noble truths of our age:

 

1 Women will lead to suffering

 

2. You  can't escape this suffering

 

3. You better have cash aplenty

 

4. Her loyalty is proportional to your cash

1 hour ago, ronster said:

This the same golf that got 385 million bht over 3 years from monks 😳

Someone seriously needs to start investigating temples and who is running and living in them . The amounts of money some of these places seem to have is insane. 

Golf is quite an entrepreneur, no standing her feet into her stomach on beach road for her. "Don't run after money, go where money is" is a lesson she took to heart, I wouldn't mind betting that she has an IQ of 140, the monks not so much.