Overview

• Wilawan E., nicknamed Sika Golf, was arrested and faces extortion, money laundering and handling stolen goods charges.
• Police seized more than 80,000 photos and thousands of videos allegedly used to blackmail at least eleven monks.
• Investigators estimate about 385 million Baht was siphoned from temple donations over three years and largely lost betting online.
• In response to the scandal, dozens of monks relinquished their robes or were expelled, while a senior abbot reportedly fled to Laos.
• The government has announced a review of temple finance laws to strengthen auditing and transparency.