Overview

• Police arrested Wilawan Emsawat at her Nonthaburi home on July 15 and charged her with extortion, money laundering and receiving stolen goods.
• Investigators allege she seduced senior Buddhist monks, breached their celibacy vows and coerced transfers totaling around 385 million baht that were largely spent on online gambling.
• The Central Investigation Bureau recovered more than 80,000 intimate photos and videos that prosecutors say were used to blackmail the monks.
• At least nine abbots and high-ranking monks have been defrocked in connection with the scandal.
• Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has ordered a review of monastic celibacy and temple finance laws and authorities have opened a hotline for reporting monk misconduct.