Thai Woman Seduced Buddhist Monks, Filmed Sex, Blackmailed Nine for $12M

Thai Woman Seduced Buddhist Monks, Filmed Sex, Blackmailed Nine for $12M

On Tuesday, a woman in Thailand was taken into custody on extortion charges for allegedly seducing nine Buddhist monks, whom she then blackmailed for money.

Authorities claim she predominantly squandered the funds she gained from the honeytrap, approximately US$11.9 million, on internet gambling.

Wilawan Emsawat, 35, was apprehended at her residence in Nonthaburi province, situated north of Bangkok, as stated by the Royal Thai Police. At least nine abbots and senior monks have been stripped of their robes due to the scandal – both metaphorically and, apparently, quite literally.

In Theravāda Buddhism, the predominant form in Thailand, celibacy is essential for monks, who are required to fully refrain from sexual activity, including any thoughts or actions that might lead to it.

Violating this rule is regarded as a serious offense (parajika) and leads to irreversible expulsion from the monastic community.

 

Blackmail Scheme

Authorities stated that Wilawan intentionally aimed at senior monks for monetary advantage. The alleged seductress reportedly recorded her sexual interactions with them on her phone before blackmailing them for cash. She has additionally been accused of money laundering and possessing stolen property.

Police started investigating Wilawan following the vanishing of Phra Thep Wachirapamok, the abbot of Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan temple in Bangkok, who suddenly abandoned his monkhood last month and escaped to Laos.

Authorities discovered five phones belonging to Wilawan that held video recordings and photos of her participating in sexual acts with multiple monks.

The controversy has led a committee in the Thai senate to suggest implementing a law that would prohibit women from engaging in sexual activities with monks.    

Profane Wealth

In Thailand, senior monks frequently oversee substantial financial assets. Temples earn revenue via "merit-making" rituals, during which devotees contribute funds in the belief of gaining luck or improved reincarnation.

The situation has emphasized that, in certain cases, monks may obtain these funds with minimal regulation or responsibility.

In May, a senior monk at one of Thailand’s leading temples, Wat Rai Khing, was taken into custody for allegedly misappropriating over US$9 million from the sacred location and using it for online baccarat. The connection between the two cases is not considered likely.