Two prominent Buddhist monks have been defrocked after police uncovered over 80,000 explicit images and sex videos involving a woman and high-ranking clergy at notable temples across Thailand.
The scandal broke when Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) officers searched the home of a woman identified as “Sika Kor” on July 4, recovering five mobile phones containing the illicit material. The woman is reportedly romantically linked to multiple senior monks.
Authorities confirmed that eight monks have been identified in the footage, with at least three already found to have violated monastic rules. Police are negotiating with the involved clergy to voluntarily leave the monkhood to avoid further damaging the image of Buddhism.
Among those defrocked was Phra Thep Wachiratheeraporn, the abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi, who was intercepted in Samut Prakan while buying a new robe. After being shown the evidence, he agreed to leave the monkhood and formally disrobed at Wat Trimit in Bangkok.
Shortly after, police located Phra Thep Wachiwatheerakun, the assistant abbot of Wat Paknam in Phasi Charoen, Bangkok, at a temple in Chiang Mai. He also agreed to renounce the monkhood following a confrontation with authorities.
Another monk, Phra Khru Siriwiriyathada of Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan in Chachoengsao, remains unaccounted for. Police are actively searching for his whereabouts.
While no criminal charges have been filed against Sika Kor, police say the investigation continues. They are examining potential financial misconduct, including the misappropriation of temple funds to support the woman, similar to previous high-profile cases.
This case follows the sudden disappearance of Phra Thepwachirapamok, former abbot of Wat Trisossathep, who left the monkhood under similar allegations and fled to Laos.
Authorities emphasize that further defrockings are likely as the investigation into the extensive video evidence continues.