Shock after arrest of notorious playboy monk

The decadent lifestyle of monk Wirapol Sukphol, who owns a huge fortune and has relationships with many women, has not only sparked public outrage but also raised questions about the religious crisis in Thailand.

Monk Wirapol Sukphol sits on a private jet with designer glasses and bags. Photo: BBC

notorious playboy

In 2013, Thai public opinion was "in turmoil" when a video recording the scene of monk Wirapol Sukphol and other monks sitting on a private plane, with luxurious accessories on their bodies, was posted online.

Subsequent investigations by Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) revealed the decadent lifestyle of monk Wirapol. They discovered at least 200 million Thai baht (about $6 million) in 10 bank accounts and 22 Mercedes Benz cars belonging to Sukphol.

Wirapol, 37, has built a mansion in southern California, USA, and also owns a large, lavishly decorated house in the town of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. The monk also built a giant replica of the famous Emerald Buddha statue in Bangkok's Grand Palace, which he claims contains nine tons of gold.

The DSI also has evidence of Wirapol's relationships with several women, including one who revealed that the monk had a child with her when she was just 15 years old.

Wirapol fled to the US and it took four years for Thai authorities to complete the extradition process last week. However, Wirapol has denied all charges of fraud, money laundering and rape.

What is the reason?

Wirapol Sukphol takes a photo next to a luxurious Mercedes Benz. Photo: Dailymail

Many questions have been raised in the wake of Wirapol’s case. How could a monk have gained such enormous influence at such a young age? How could a monk behave so lawlessly, violating so many of Thailand’s Buddhist precepts? According to Buddhist rules, monks are not even allowed to touch money, and sex is taboo.

However, the situation of monks being corrupt is not strange in Thailand. The temptations of modern life have created monks who are abnormally rich, addicted to drugs, partying, having sex with men and women, and even having sex with minors.

In addition, some temples attract followers by promoting supernatural powers. This stems from two aspects of modern life in Thailand: the desire of urban people for spiritual support, as they no longer maintain ties with their traditional villages; and the belief that making offerings to sacred temples will bring success and material wealth.

Wirapol seems to have capitalized on that trend. He came to poor Sisaket province in the early 2000s, establishing a monastery on allocated land in Ban Yang village. But according to the village chief, Ittipol Nontha, few locals went there because they were so poor.

The monk held elaborate ceremonies, sold charms and built a replica of the jade Buddha to attract followers from other regions.

Wirapol's followers were captivated by Wirapol's elegant appearance and warm voice and were convinced that Wirapol had supernatural powers, such as the ability to walk on water and communicate with gods.

For his part, Wirapol was very generous to influential people in the province. He bought many cars as gifts for monks and officials. His influence was so strong that even today, Wirapol still has supporters.

Government intervention

Wirapol being questioned by Thai police. Photo: AFP

Following a series of scandals, many have spoken out publicly about a crisis in Buddhism in Thailand. The number of ordained monks has fallen sharply in recent years and many small rural temples cannot survive without financial support.

The Sangha Council is nominally in charge of the Thai Sangha, but it is largely made up of elderly monks and has proven ineffective over the years. The National Office of Buddhism also oversees religious affairs, but has been plagued by leadership changes and allegations of financial irregularities.

The Thai government has now enacted a law requiring temples, which accumulate $3-4 billion in donations each year, to make their financial records public. There is also talk of a digital card for monks to ensure that corrupt monks cannot be re-ordained.

The root of the problem, however, is the way Buddhism has developed in Thailand. Over the past 150 years, there have been two distinct Buddhist sects. The ascetic Thammayut tradition in Bangkok strictly adheres to the precepts of separation from the material world. Meanwhile, the lax Mahanikai tradition of the provinces, where monks are part of the community, participating in village activities and sometimes breaking the precepts, either intentionally or unintentionally.

In Thai villages, temples serve as schools, traditional medicine centers, and venues for local festivals. People come to them for advice on all manner of worldly matters. And in such settings, the lines between acceptable and unacceptable behavior can become blurred.

Wirapol was extradited from the US on July 19 to face a series of charges after four years on the run. Photo: Reuters

Another cause of the religious crisis in Thailand is the superstition of many Thai people, and this superstition has been commercialized.

Monks today even perform lucky rituals for new cars or houses. Even selling lottery tickets in temples is not unusual in Thailand.

This superstition extended to the rich, who were willing to give generously in the belief that it would ensure a richer future for them.

Phra Payom Kalayano, the abbot of a temple north of Bangkok known for his criticism of the commercialization of Buddhism, has called on Thais to be more thoughtful when worshipping.

“Nowadays people think that the way to create good karma is to donate money to temples – especially rich people. But that does not create good karma, it is just blind faith,” said Mr. Kalayano.

According to Dan Tri