The scandal rocking Thailand's Buddhist monastic community has reached unprecedented heights as "Si Ka Golf," a woman entangled in illicit relationships with several high-ranking monks, reveals the complex and troubling origins of her involvement. The revelations, aired on the popular "Hone Krasae" show on July 16, 2025, have not only led to multiple monks being defrocked but also sparked a nationwide conversation about morality, power, and the vulnerabilities within religious institutions.
Si Ka Golf's story is as intricate as it is disturbing. Originally from Phichit province, she moved to Bangkok to study and work selling clothes. Her personal life was fraught with challenges, including a brief marriage to a navy officer in 2008 that lasted about a year. Returning to Phichit, she became involved with a local DJ, resulting in pregnancy. However, as the DJ already had a family, he could not officially recognize the child. In a twist, Si Ka Golf chose a monk she knew, former Phra Khru Paladsurapol Itthithecho, to be the child's official guardian, highlighting early on the complex intersection of her life with the monastic world.
Her deeper entanglement with monks began in 2013 when she met the Provincial Ecclesiastical Governor of Phichit, known as the "Chao Khana Changwat Phichit," at Wat Tha Luang. Their relationship started innocuously with a mysterious Line message, which she initially thought was a mistaken greeting, but it soon evolved into ongoing chats and eventually a sexual relationship. Si Ka Golf admitted to feeling guilt over the affair but was swayed by the monk's repeated assurances, including his haunting words: "One day Golf will know that I am not as bad as you think, and Golf will regret it." Over approximately two years, the monk lavished her with money and gifts, including a Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 worth around 3 million baht. This car was the first and only of its kind in Phichit, making both the vehicle and Si Ka Golf highly conspicuous, which eventually forced her to relocate to Bangkok to escape the ensuing gossip.
Interestingly, the financial transactions were not directly handled by the monk but by temple staff, and at times, she had access to the monk's ATM card. Despite ending the relationship between 2014 and 2016, the monk reached out again in 2023 amid mounting criticism and protests. He requested her assistance in crafting a letter asserting a fabricated marriage and child with "Dr. Suriya," presumably to create an alibi and deflect allegations.
But the Phichit monk was not the only cleric involved. Si Ka Golf also disclosed a relationship with the Provincial Ecclesiastical Governor of Phitsanulok, initiated through Line messages and culminating in sexual encounters inside a car parked at a monastic college. This liaison, too, was financially motivated, as she sought support to raise her child. Notably, she later learned that the Phichit and Phitsanulok ecclesiastical governors, along with Dr. Suriya, were longtime friends who likely knew about her relationships with each of them.
The scandal extends beyond these two monks. The "Hone Krasae" show also highlighted the involvement of the abbot of Wat Yai Chom Prasat, who has since disappeared, and a monk from Wat Prayurawongsawas, both implicated in the controversy. The public arrest of Si Ka Golf has only intensified scrutiny, with rumors swirling about the origins of the vast sums of money—estimated at 385 million baht—flowing in support of her lifestyle.
Experts invited to discuss the case on "Hone Krasae" painted a grim picture. Dr. Trinat Photiraksa, a criminology psychologist from Mahidol University, observed that Si Ka Golf displayed no remorse or fear during her interview. Instead, her body language conveyed pride, especially when recounting her conspicuous lifestyle symbolized by the luxury car and the attention it drew. Dr. Trinat questioned how someone engaged in such conduct for over a decade could genuinely feel guilt, interpreting her acceptance of the situation as normalization of wrongdoing.
Ajarn Chaturong Jong-asa, a Buddhist scholar, echoed concerns about the erosion of monastic discipline. He cautioned against taking the case to court, warning that the judicial system might be unforgiving and that blame might be shared among all parties involved. His metaphor that "a monk cannot clap with one hand" underscored the complexity of assigning sole responsibility.
Delving deeper into Si Ka Golf's motivations, a special interview aired on July 15 revealed that her actions stemmed from a troubled childhood marked by poverty and unfulfilled dreams. She confessed to a gambling addiction, admitting that all the money she received was funneled into betting. Her encounter with a former abbot from a notable temple, who gifted her the Benz, marked a turning point, granting her both financial means and access to multiple monks.
She vehemently rejected the monks' claims of victimhood, stating that many sought her out under the guise of making merit, yet she had never engaged in such acts. The host, Num Kanchai Kamnerdploy, disclosed that among the nine monks she was involved with, some fathered children, and there were instances of unprotected sex leading to pregnancies and even abortions, whether spontaneous or induced.
This scandal has not only shaken the Thai Buddhist community but also ignited broader discussions about the accountability of religious figures and the vulnerabilities of those caught in exploitative relationships. The public and authorities continue to watch closely as investigations unfold, with many calling for transparency and reform within the monastic order.
As the story develops, the voices of those involved—monks, scholars, and Si Ka Golf herself—offer a multifaceted perspective on a deeply troubling episode that challenges perceptions of sanctity and morality in contemporary Thailand.
