Thief arrested after stealing donation box from Saen Suk Temple

A thief was arrested after using bolt cutters to steal a donation box from Saen Suk Temple. He confessed and requested police for some incense to apologise to the temple’s guardian spirit, claiming the spirit had visited him in a dream and demanded he return the stolen items.

Police yesterday, August 6, received orders from Police Major General Kiatkul Sonthinen, chief of Division 3, to apprehend Pravit, a resident of Nong Chok, under the supervision of Police Colonel Krit Gomnoi, station chief of Min Buri. Pravit was caught with the stolen donation box, a Honda Wave motorcycle with a sidecar, bolt cutters, and around 200 coins of 25 and 50 satang denominations.

The case began when Phra Num Phonpho, a monk at Saen Suk Temple in Min Buri, reported the theft to Min Buri police. CCTV footage showed a man using bolt cutters to break the chain securing the donation box and making off with approximately 5,000 baht (US$140).

The incident occurred in the afternoon two days ago. Police later apprehended Pravit under an overpass on Chalong Krung Soi 68 in Lam Phak Chi, Nong Chok, Bangkok.

During questioning, Pravit admitted to stealing the donation box from Suthisarn Temple on Nimittmai Road in Khlong Sam Wa in the early afternoon of August 2. He loaded the box onto his motorcycle sidecar and drove to a secluded area, where he forced it open, finding only 80 baht.

After abandoning the box, he rode to Saen Suk Temple and used bolt cutters to steal another donation box from the temple’s pavilion. He cracked it open near an abandoned roadside shelter, netting 200 baht (US$5) before fleeing.

Temple theft

“I dreamed last night that the guardian spirit of Saen Suk Temple, Thao Wessuwan, demanded I return the donation box. I was afraid because of my criminal record involving drugs and theft, so I hesitated.

“But eventually, the police caught me, and I believe it was due to the spirit’s influence. As I rode past the statue of Thao Wessuwan at the temple, I felt a chill as if someone were watching me.”

The police took Pravit to apologise to the statue of Thao Wessuwan at Saen Suk Temple, as he had requested. During the reenactment of his crime, he also sought forgiveness from the abbot, promising not to re-offend after serving his sentence, reported KhaoSod.

Police then transferred him to Lieutenant Colonel Weerasak Boonsri, deputy inspector at Min Buri Police Station, on charges of theft from a place of worship, damaging protective barriers, and using a vehicle to facilitate the crime or escape. The investigation continues, and Pravit faces prosecution under the law.