BANGKOK, Thailand – Thieves with peculiar excuses are targeting Bangkok temples, leading to arrests and astonishing claims being made to law enforcement officials.
Suspect plastic bag raises alarm
Police stationed at Wat Pho specifically to deter thieves and pickpockets apprehended a man on June 28th. He was observed leaving a chapel with a black plastic bag and exhibiting suspicious behavior.
Officials approached the man for a routine check, discovering stolen brass candlesticks within his bag. The immediate arrest led to an excuse that even seasoned investigators found remarkable.
“The Buddha statue smiled at me”
The suspect, who reportedly has no fixed abode, admitted to the theft without hesitation. He told officers that he believed a smiling Buddha statue had granted him permission to take the items and donate them to a temple in Uthai Thani.
However, officers did not believe his story and suspect he intended to sell the candlesticks. The police found no indications of a mental illness. Temple staff also confirmed that all items at Wat Pho are temple property and no one is authorized to remove them.
18-year-old empties donation box for sex and a meal
Around the same time, authorities detained an 18-year-old near another temple in Bangkok. He had recently stolen 5,800 Baht from a donation box and immediately spent the money on commercial sex services and food.
The young man returned to the scene, apparently to steal again, just as officers arrived. He was also arrested and will now face charges for his alleged crimes.
Two perpetrators, one charge sheet
The first suspect has been charged with theft from a public place of worship and taken into custody by the Phra Nakhon Police Station. The 18-year-old is also in custody, and investigations are ongoing.
Police stated that the first suspect showed no signs of mental illness. Officers from the Phra Nakhon Police Station remain vigilant to prevent further thefts at the city’s temples.