Following a highly publicized gambling and sex scandal, Thailand’s Central Criminal Court sentenced former prominent Thai Buddhist monk Phra Thepwatcharasitthimethi, also known as Wirach, to 12 years in prison. He had siphoned THB 3 million (over $90,000) destined for Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, a religious college, to his own bank account.
Monk Sentenced To 12 Years In Prison
Wirach, the former chief monk of Phichit province and abbot of Wat Tha Luang Temple, was caught up in a high-profile sex and extortion controversy involving a woman named Wilawan Emsawat. Wirach departed the monkhood on July 15 of last year, citing concerns about his apparent relationship with Wilawan. The disappearance of Phra Thep Wachirapamok, the abbot of Bangkok’s Wat Tri Thotsathep Worawihan, who unexpectedly left the monastery and fled to Laos in June 2025, prompted police to investigate Wilawan.
Investigators said they confiscated five mobile phones belonging to Wilawan, alleging they had films and photographs of her engaging in sexual acts with multiple monks. Ultimately, she was accused of wooing nine different monks and then extorting them for gaming money.
Authorities said Wilawan purposely targeted elderly Buddhist monks. She built deep relationships before secretly filming sexual encounters on her phone and exploiting the images to extort money. She is currently awaiting trial on charges of blackmail, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods.
Questions Arouse of How Some Senior Monks Have Access to Temple Funds
The case has highlighted how, in some cases, monks can access temple cash with no control or accountability. Temples get millions of baht in donations from merit-making ceremonies. During these events, devotees contribute money in the hope that it may bring them good fortune or enhance their karma in the next life.
Thailand’s major form of Buddhism is Theravāda, which compels monks to practice rigorous celibacy and refrain from sexual engagement. Following the affair, a Thai Senate committee proposed laws to ban sexual connections between women and Buddhist monks.
Interestingly, in Wirach’s case, the embezzled cash aren’t even a large sum when compared to the money in another unrelated case. Last year, in an unrelated case, the abbot of Wat Rai Khing was accused of embezzling more than $9 million to fund an internet gambling addiction.
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