A woman has been arrested in Thailand, accused of blackmailing at least 11 monks after secretly photographing their sexual encounters.
The monks reportedly paid nearly $12 million, funds allegedly diverted from monastery donations.
The scandal has sparked widespread outrage and concern in Thailand. It has led to public questioning of the monkhood's integrity and whether their status provides undue protection from scrutiny.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn has revoked invitations to over 80 monks for his upcoming birthday celebrations due to "inappropriate behaviour."
The 11 implicated monks have been defrocked, and the National Office of Buddhism has launched a police investigation to "restore public trust."
Theravada Buddhism is deeply ingrained in Thai identity, with men traditionally expected to ordain as monks at least once in their lives.
Monks are bound by 227 strict rules, including prohibitions on touching women and handling objects directly from them.
This is not the first scandal to affect the Thai monkhood.