Thai woman accused of extorting over $11 million from Buddhist monks

A 35-year-old woman was arrested in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on July 15 for allegedly engaging in sexual relations with senior Buddhist monks and using explicit materials to extort money from them.

Blackmail scheme: Police say Wilawan Emsawat targeted at least nine monks, persuading them into sexual relationships and then blackmailing them with compromising photos, videos and chat logs. Over three years, Emsawat reportedly collected about 385 million baht ($11.9 million) much of which was spent on online gambling.

Evidence uncovered: The case, which has become a national scandal in Thailand, surfaced after a prominent monk from a Bangkok temple resigned from the clergy and disappeared amid blackmail demands.

Investigators say Emsawat claimed to be pregnant and demanded roughly 7.2 million baht ($222,200) from the monk. A police search of her residence uncovered five mobile phones and tens of thousands of files used in the extortion. All nine monks identified in the investigation have been defrocked and removed from their positions.

Crackdown launched: Thai officials are responding with calls for stricter oversight of the Buddhist clergy.

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has ordered a nationwide review of temple finances and monk conduct. Police have also launched a hotline for the public to report suspected misconduct and plan to carry out audits at temples across the country. The Sangha Supreme Council is considering new rules, including fines or jail time, to prevent similar scandals.