A intercourse scandal has rocked Thailand’s Buddhist clergy after a lady allegedly enticed a string of monks into having intercourse together with her after which blackmailed them.
At the very least 9 abbots and senior monks have been disrobed and forged out of the monkhood, the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau mentioned.
Wilawan Emsawat, in her mid-30s, is accused of attractive senior monks into having intercourse together with her after which pressuring them into making massive funds to cowl it up.
Thai monks are largely members of the Theravada sect, which requires them to be celibate and chorus from even touching a lady.
A number of monks transferred massive quantities of cash after Wilawan initiated romantic relationships with them, police mentioned -her financial institution accounts obtained round 385 million baht (£8.8m) prior to now three years, with most of that spent on playing web sites.
Wilawan was arrested at her dwelling in Nonthaburi province, north of the capital Bangkok, on fees together with extortion, cash laundering and receiving stolen items.
Thai media reported a search of her cellphones revealed tens of hundreds of photographs and movies, in addition to quite a few chat logs indicating intimacy with a number of monks, lots of which might be used for blackmail.
Picture:
Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau holding a press convention in Bangkok. Pic: Central Investigation Bureau/AP
An investigation was launched final month after an abbot of a well-known temple in Bangkok abruptly left the monkhood.
He had allegedly been blackmailed by Wilawan over their romantic relationship, investigators discovered.
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Appearing Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai ordered authorities to assessment and contemplate tightening current legal guidelines associated to monks and temples, particularly the transparency of temple funds, to revive religion in Buddhism, authorities spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub mentioned on Tuesday.
The Central Investigation Bureau has arrange a Fb web page for individuals to report monks who misbehave, Mr Jaroonkiat mentioned.
“We will investigate monks across the country,” he mentioned. “I believe that the ripple effects of this investigation will lead to a lot of changes.”
