Yesterday’ Buddhist holiday used by the thief to steal over a Phuket temple worth one million baht in cash and valuables, Siangtai Daily newspaper has reported. The thievery known by monks at the well-known Rasadaram Temple early yesterday evening and immediately reported it.

The thievery happened in the monks’ cell area, when they were attending a service began at 6.30 p.m. in the main prayer hall. This opportunity used by the thief or thieves to pry open a window and gain access through this.

One of the monks, who returned to the location upon returning to his cell, noticed a collection box lying on the floor and 50,000 baht in it was missing. In the next room, numerous Buddha images were missing and those that remained were scattered on the floor. The temple abbot put the value of the heist at one million baht. Phuket City Police are investigating the thievery now and have already taken its fingerprints.

Thieves before have targeted the temple, but in the past they ran away when spotted by temple monks. It is not the first the thieves targeted temple in Phuket. In October last year a drunk was arrested at Nai Harn Temple after he attempted to steal a collection box there. The man later confessed to committing a string of similar thefts at other island temples.

He also led police to an employee at the Government Savings Bank who served as an accomplice in some of the heists. The pair used the proceeds to fund drinking sessions in karaoke bars, they said. In Thailand, temples are rarely targeted by thieves – and not only for ethical reasons. Most of Thai temples are home to large packs of stray dogs, many dumped there by their former owners. The dogs also serve as a potent security force for their Buddhist benefactors.

In another disturbing crime carried out at a temple on a holy day last year, well-known local businessman Chalermpol Pranweerapaiboon was left in a coma after he was shot in the back of the neck by an assailant at Wat Luangpoo Supha on Maka Bucha Day in February 2009. The attack took place in front of the victim’s family and just meters from the cell of Luangpoo Supha, a revered monk believed by his followers to be the world’s oldest living man at 116.

Although Phuket City Police initially said the investigation was going well, there have been no reports of any arrests so far.

News by Phuket Gazette