The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) campaign against misbehaving monks is going strong, with about half of those on the blacklist having agreed to reform themselves.
According to a CIB source, 45 rogue monks bowed to pressure and agreed to end their wayward behaviour while five others voluntarily left the monastic community after being warned by police.
Of those who agreed to behave, 11 were accused of sexual misconduct, nine were allegedly involved in political activities, 15 were reportedly engaged in supernatural activities and 10 others were allegedly extrovert homosexual and transgender.
Of those who shed the robes, four were reportedly homosexual or transgender while the other was involved in a sex scandal, according to the police source.
Tales of monks misbehaving were rampant; some were accused of running fake amulet scams or violating their vows of celibacy.
Earlier this month, the CIB launched a crackdown targeting 95 monks suspected of various indiscretions. The bureau also planned to take legal action against those found to be involved in criminal activity.
The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) was responsible for compiling the list, which put the 95 wayward monks into four categories: indulging in sexual activities, claiming to have supernatural powers, engaging in political activism and practising transvestism.
A police source said the CSD has been assigned to collect information about a high-profile monk who has been politically active in recent years. The source said the monk's involvement has caused social divisiveness and the CSD will take legal action if the monk is found to have broken any laws.
The CSD is also tracking down the rest of the monks on the list.