2025 Thai monk scandal

In 2025, there have been a number of embezzlement and sex scandals involving monks in Thailand. In early 2025, an investigation opened into a high profile abbot of Wat Rai Khing temple in Nakhon Pathom Province named Phra Thammavajiranuwat (known as Chao Khun Yaem). He is accused of embezzling about 847,000,000 Thai baht of the temple's money to pay for a betting website.[1]

Another more high profile case was reported in July 2025 following the disappearance of Phra Thep Wachirapamok, a prominent Buddhist monk. The investigation led to the arrest of a woman who allegedly blackmailed thousands of monks with sexual videos.[2][3] As of 14 July 2025, six senior monks have been defrocked and two remain missing.[4]

Background

90% of Thailand's population is Buddhist, and at any time there are approximately 200,000 monks and 85,000 novices.[5]

Phra Thammavajirayanavut (Yaem)'s case

In May 2025, a case involving a high-profile abbot of Wat Rai King in Sampran District, Nakhon Pathom Province which is being accused of embezzling money that belongs to the temple (at least 100 million baht). A female suspect named Aranyawan Wangthapan, 28, is alleged to have links to the gambling industry, was accused of receiving these funds. He then transfers the money to pay for the gambling website.[6] [7] [8] [9] . After being arrested, he was disrobed from the monkhood on 15 May, 2025.

The investigation results conducted by the Central Investigation Bureau reveals that at least more than 10 temples involved in this case.[10]

Sika Golf and senior monks case

On 15 July 2025, Wilawan Emsawat was arrested in Nonthaburi and charged with receiving stolen goods, extortion, and money laundering.[11][12] In a 16 July 2025 interview, she admitted to multiple relationships with two monks, along with a religious professor.[13] Five phones owned by Emsawat were found, including several containing images of her engaged in sexual acts with monks.[5]

Police described Emsawat as having targeted senior monks.[12][14]

Aftermath and reaction

Following Emsawat's arrest, police announced they will conduct background checks on around 300,000 Buddhist monks in Thailand.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Ngamkham, Wassayos (2025-05-16). "Disgraced Wat Rai Khing abbot disrobed over B300m embezzlement". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
  2. ↑ "Thai woman arrested for blackmailing monks after sex with thousands of videos". www.bbc.com. 2025-07-16. Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  3. ↑ Hope, Zach (2025-07-17). "The Buddhist monk sex scandal that's gripping Thailand". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  4. ↑ "Thailand defrocks 6 monks as sex and blackmail scandal engulfs Buddhist clergy". South China Morning Post. 2025-07-14. Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  5. 1 2 Parry, Richard Lloyd (2025-07-16). "Thai woman 'had sex with Buddhist monks and blackmailed them for millions'". www.thetimes.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  6. ↑ https://www.thairath.co.th/news/crime/2859913
  7. ↑ https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/4783888/
  8. ↑ https://www.amarintv.com/news/social/514550
  9. ↑ https://www.amarintv.com/news/crime/514417
  10. ↑ https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/4783888/
  11. ↑ Ngamkham, Wassayos (2025-07-15). "Police arrest woman at centre of monk sex scandal". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  12. 1 2 "Police arrest woman at centre of sex scandal that saw nine monks disrobed". The Independent. 2025-07-15. Archived from the original on 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  13. ↑ Ratcliffe, Rebecca; Siradapuvadol, Navaon (2025-07-17). "Monks behaving badly: the sex scandal rocking Thailand's Buddhist clergy". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  14. ↑ Ngamkham, Wassayos (2025-07-16). "Charges mount against woman at centre of temple sex scandal". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
  15. ↑ Ngamkham, Wassayos (2025-07-16). "Police to make background checks on all monks nationwide". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-07-18.
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