"Sika Golf" Scandal: Wat Paknam Sees Influx

Arnun Chonmahatrakool

Thai citizens and foreign tourists are increasingly making their way to Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen in Bangkok to engage in merit-making, worship, and pay homage to sacred objects. This influx comes in the wake of the recent scandal involving "Sikakaolf" (Ms. Wilawan Aemsawat), which exposed over 80,000 photos and secret video clips depicting alleged scandalous relationships with senior monks from various prominent temples. Among those implicated in the scandal is the former Phra Thep Wachiratheerakhun, who previously served as an assistant abbot at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen. Despite the controversy, or perhaps because of the heightened public interest, visitors continue to gather at the revered temple, seeking spiritual solace and observing the unfolding developments.