Ex-abbot admits to love affair

Woman accused of extorting top monks

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

The former abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi has admitted to a years-long romantic relationship with a woman known as “Sika Golf”, saying he had even planned to leave the monkhood to marry her — only to later discover she was also romantically involved with senior monks from other well-known temples.

Police found that Ms Golf was involved with at least 15 senior monks who transferred money to her over the past several years. When combined with supporting evidence — such as photographs, video clips, and chat logs — investigators confirmed that at least eight of the monks had engaged in relationships with her.

The scandal came to light following a July 4 police raid at the house of Ms Golf in Bangkok by the Anti-Corruption Division, during which over 80,000 images and video clips were recovered from five mobile phones belonging to her. She also has three children aged 13, 10, and 6 with some former high-ranking monks.

Investigators initially expected to uncover evidence related to a temple corruption case, but instead found explicit material suggesting sexual relationships between her and several senior monks from well-known temples in many provinces.