Showing 1 - 10 of 1,037
Love, lust and lost funds
News, Karnjana Karnjanatawe, Published on 18/07/2025
» A growing scandal involving senior Buddhist monks and a woman dubbed "Sika Golf" has gripped Thailand in recent weeks. The case centres on Wilawan Emsawat, a 35-year-old woman accused of forging intimate relationships with high-ranking monks and allegedly using them for financial gain, sparking a wide-ranging police investigation and multiple arrests.
Supreme Patriarch backs reform effort
News, Published on 18/07/2025
» The Supreme Patriarch is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the country's monastic laws, urging the government to review the Sangha Act and revise outdated regulations to safeguard the sanctity of Buddhism, according to acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday.
How much do Thai monks earn per month?
Gary Boyle, Published on 17/07/2025
» Buddhist monks in Thailand receive monthly food allowances which vary according to their rank, reflecting a centuries-old tradition that continues today.
Charges mount against woman at centre of temple sex scandal
Wassayos Ngamkham, Published on 16/07/2025
» Police charges are mounting against the 35-year-old woman known as “Sika Golf” who allegedly had sex with many senior monks at well-known temples in many provinces and also blackmailed them.
Police to make background checks on all monks nationwide
Wassayos Ngamkham, Published on 16/07/2025
» Police will check the backgrounds of about 300,000 Buddhist monks nationwide in the wake of the scandal involving several senior monks and a woman known as “Sika Golf”, who was arrested on Tuesday.
How much do Thai monks earn per month?
Online Reporters, Published on 16/07/2025
» Buddhist monks in Thailand receive monthly food allowances called "Nittayapat" (นิตยภัต), with amounts varying according to their ecclesiastical rank, reflecting a centuries-old tradition of royal patronage that continues under government administration today.
Ninth senior monk quits in 'Golf' temple scandal
Sitthipoj Kebui, Published on 15/07/2025
» PHICHIT - The abbot of Wat Tha Luang chose to leave the monkhood on Tuesday amid speculation about his relationship with "Sika Golf", the woman who had already ended the careers of eight senior monks.
DSI to assist probe into sex scandal rocking the country's monastic order
News, Aekarach Sattaburuth, Published on 15/07/2025
» The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has been asked to assist the Central Investigation Bureau's (CIB) probe into the latest sex scandal rocking the country's monastic order.
Corrupt monks have lost their way
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 14/07/2025
» Just as Thailand was about to celebrate Asalha Bucha Day and the start of Buddhist Lent, the nation was gripped by the biggest sex scandal ever to rock its clergy. How irony.
Disgraced ex-monks in sex scandal face embezzlement probe
Published on 11/07/2025
» The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) is considering criminal complaints against former senior monks embroiled in a major sex scandal if an investigation finds they embezzled money from temples.