Blackmail is not unknown in the Land of Smiles, but the startling case involving an 82 year-old monk has got the nation chattering away. This was no ordinary temple monk, but an abbot at Wat Sainoi in Nothaburi, the most revered temple official in the province. And, of course, the matter had something to do with sex.According to the local papers, an official from the Department of Civil Aviation approached the abbot on 26 December. The abbot would have thought nothing of the polite wai (greeting) offered, as he is used to dealing with high-ranking politicians and government officials.
But the aviation commander wasn't there to seek a blessing or offer a donation to the temple. Rather, he had something to sell, a video casette disc (VCD). And, at four million baht (R900,000), it wasn't going cheap. The official claimed the VCD showed the abbot in the throes of passion with a middle-aged woman. As monks are forbidden for fornicating, this would make the tape rather valuable in the wrong hands.
The commander was quick to explain that he was not involved in taping the incident. Rather, he had come across someone selling the VCD in the town and, in a desire to protect the good name of the abbot, had bought it for four million baht.Of course, he was now seeking to be recompensed by the temple.
After the abbot called the temple director to assist him with the negotiations, the aviator decided to lower his price to two million baht. Suspecting blackmail, the temple director decided, perhaps somewhat short-sightedly considering the material on the VCD, to call the local police station.
When the cops arrived, the aviator tried to escape in his car, but he was caught. After questioning, the police released him with the promise of more questioning later, but held onto the VCD as evidence.
Of course, the police have viewed the recording very carefully. And word is that it does indeed show the elderly monk having sex with a middle-aged woman in his room at the temple.
The 20-minute VCD apparently begins with the woman hiding the camera with a view of the bedding in the unsuspecting abbot’s room and then sitting waiting for the man to arrive. After a 10-minute massage, she removes her clothes and they have sex.
Police believe the woman's massage techniques were such that they suspect she is a professional and they are scouring local massage parlours to find her. They will be performing thorough searches, I am sure.
The aviator has been charged with blackmail and should appear in court soon. The monk is also likely to face disciplinary measures from the temple, as those who have watched the tape say that he did not appear to be drugged and was participating fully in the sex romp. At 82 years old, that's quite a feat.
No copies of the tape are yet available on the black market in Pattaya or around Patpong in Bangkok. I'll keep you posted.
