RESTORING PEOPLE’S FAITH BATTERED BY BAD MONKS

SCHOLARS URGE WATCHDOG 10 KEEP EYE ON MISBEHAVING MONKS BUT SAY CHANGE MUST ALSO COME FROM WITHIN

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

»The monastic order is reeling under public scrutiny after police uncovered a far-reaching scandal involving at least 13 monks, many of whom were former abbots or assistant abbots of well-known temples.

These monks are accused of engaging in sexual relations with Wilawan Emsawat, also known as “Sika Golf’, allegedly for her financial benefit.

Authorities found Ms Wilawan has received 385 million baht over the past three years, and she is now in custody.

The revelations have reignited longstanding calls for sweeping reforms in monastic governance, financial management, and disciplinary enforcement.

Religious scholars are speaking out, urging changes to restore confidence and bring the institution back in line with Buddhist principles.

Rewriting the rules

Prof Uthit Siriwan, vice-rector for global research at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, the oldest Buddhist university in the nation, believes the crisis marks a turning point.

As a former monk with deep ties to monastic life, he argues that threats — especially violations of celibacy and financial ethics — require a systemic response.

He proposes a sweeping doctrinal and disciplinary review, much like the one undertaken during the reign of King Rama I, when the Buddhist scriptures were examined and monastic conduct scrutinised.

“That process took eight months then, but with today’s technology, it could be done in three,’ he said.

A working group ordered by the Supreme Patriarch is now revising disciplinary procedures, aiming to expedite investigations and impose meaningful deterrents.

Verdicts on misconduct should be rendered within 10 days, notyears, with digital evidence such as video clips now admissible.

Key reforms include stricter enforcement of the Sanghadisesa 13 rule—a serious offence under the monastic code (Vinaya), which traditionally covers flirtatious or sexually suggestive conduct in person.