Thai woman accused of blackmailing monks in three-year scheme totaling $11.9 million and more

Thai woman arrested for sextorting monks 

In a scandal that’s shaken Thailand’s Buddhist community, police arrested a woman known as “Ms. Golf” in July 2025 for a three-year scheme in which she allegedly blackmailed monks after having sexual relationships with them. Police say she used explicit photos and videos of her encounters with the monks to extort money from them. She allegedly collected approximately 385 million baht ($11.9 million) from at least nine monks. Investigators, who found 80,000 images and photos in Ms. Golf’s home, say she used the money to fund her online gambling habit. She’s charged with extortion, money laundering and receiving stolen goods.

In response, Thailand’s governing body for Buddhism, the Sangha Supreme Council, plans to review monastic regulations. The Thai government is calling for tougher penalties for monks who break monastic code.