Buddhism crisis in Thailand: reform after sex scandals

Sex scandals involving high-ranking monks have rocked Thailand's Buddhist clergy, which is preparing for reform.

See: Thailand sex scandal: Woman framed influential monks

The Supreme Sangha Council (SSC – the governing body of Thailand's Buddhist clergy) will set up a special committee to review monastic rules following the scandal involving 11 monks and a woman nicknamed "Miss Golf."

Following an extraordinary meeting on Sunday, July 13, Associate Professor Chatchapol Chaiyaporn, acting secretary general of the SSC, said the Supreme Patriarch was deeply concerned about the impact of this case on the credibility of the monastic order.

The council acknowledged that the Sangha law, in force since 1962, was no longer suited to current challenges, calling for immediate reforms.

Although amended in 1992, 2017 and 2018, the law has never addressed the management of monks in depth.

The 2018 reform, for example, transferred the power to appoint the Supreme Patriarch and council members to royal authorities.

"A new special committee will be formed to protect Buddhism, revise the Sangha Law and other related texts, and improve communication with the public.

The proposal will be submitted to the Supreme Patriarch for approval,” he said.

Monks under surveillance

The council also ruled that senior monks will have to closely monitor the clerics under their authority.

In the event of a breach of the monastic code, the superior shall immediately suspend the monk concerned and forward the evidence to the competent religious authorities.

Chatchapol recalled that some monastic offenses can also be punishable under criminal law, as monks are considered public officials under Thai law.

The council also urged the National Bureau of Buddhism (NOB) to strengthen its internal procedures and requested government assistance in restructuring the agency to better protect religion.

"All measures must respect the principles of Dhamma-Vinaya, ensure justice and preserve the innocent," he added.

Intaporn Jan-iaem, director of the NOB, said the 11 names submitted by Police General Jaroonkiat Pankaew of the Central Bureau of Investigation were being examined.

Six defrocked monks, others in the crosshairs

Phra Thep Wachiratheeraporn, abbot of Wat Phra Phutthachai in Saraburi (left) receives secular clothes after being defrocked for having an affair with a woman known as Sika Golf (right).

To date, six monks, including former abbots and dignitaries of temples in Bangkok, Phitsanulok, Saraburi and Chachoengsao, have been defrocked.

Two monks from Phitsanulok and Bangkok remain unreachable.

The SSC ordered religious leaders in the affected regions to summon them or face sanctions, including possible dismissal.

Two other monks, in Bangkok and Phichit, are still in office, awaiting disciplinary review.

The abbot of Wat Chujit Thammaram in Ayutthaya submitted his resignation on Sunday.

Investigations into embezzlement

Main stupa of Wat Prayurawongsawat Worawihan.
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote

In parallel, General Jaroonkiat has instructed the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) to investigate several temples this week:

Wat Chujit Thammaram, Wat Yai Chom Prasat (Samut Sakhon), Wat Kalayanamit and Wat Prayurawongsawat (Bangkok).

Authorities will examine financial transactions to determine whether funds were used to compensate Ms. Golf.

Scandals involving monks who do not respect monastic rules are frequent in Thailand, see our articles:

Thailand: 3 monks punished after their trip to Pattaya's red-light district

Thailand: Buddhist monks duped into pyramid scheme

Drug-addicted, armed monk arrested after spreading terror in Thailand

Thailand: Pedophile monk rapes children with impunity

When a kinky Thai monk meets a morally high-minded prostitute

Thieving, Drunken Thai Monks and a Porn-Loving Abbot

Crazy Thai Buddhist monk allegedly tortured and killed 80 cats

Famous Thai Buddhist monk steals €4.86 million from his temple

Monk by day, party animal by night, monk accused of leading a double life in Thailand

Sex-starved Buddhist monk cuts off his penis in Thailand

All monks at a Thai temple test positive for meth

Former Buddhist monk-turned-transvestite's fortune intrigues Thais

Buddhist monk sold firearms online in Thailand

Source: Bangkok Post