Thief desecrates grave, steals over 3,000 baht in Udon Thani
A thief desecrated a young man’s grave to steal over 3,000 baht, intended for his afterlife, prompting local monks to warn of potential spiritual repercussions. The incident occurred at a cemetery in Udon Thani province after a 20 year old, referred to as A, died in a motorcycle accident on April 14.
At Wat Pa Phra Na Hai temple in Ban Sin Charoen, Pen district, A’s grave was discovered disturbed with a branch used to conceal the damage. The cement pipes holding the body were visible, and the grave cover had been recently resealed.
The theft came to light when A’s great-grandfather, 77 year old Jaeng Ota, noticed the disturbance. A’s remains were placed in the temporary grave to follow local traditions for unnatural deaths, which require a three-year wait before cremation.
Jaeng explained that A died after his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck. His body was brought to the temple for a night vigil on April 14 and interred the following afternoon.
The family and friends had placed money in A’s coffin to ensure his well-being in the afterlife. However, on the same afternoon, the family was informed that a thief had stolen the money, even as the cement was still drying.
Jaeng expressed hope that A’s spirit would retrieve the stolen money from the thief, as it is believed such acts can bring misfortune to the perpetrator.
A 50 year old A’s mother expressed profound anger and sorrow over the incident. She recounted that A, her youngest child of two, had left home to visit a friend in Ban Dung, 20 kilometres away, before the fatal accident.
She lamented the theft, which occurred mere hours after her son’s body was laid to rest, and urged the thief to reflect on their actions, emphasising the emotional impact on grieving families, reported KhaoSod.
Monk Ruengdet condemned the act as sinful and unprecedented at the temple. He warned of spiritual consequences, suggesting that A’s spirit, having died unnaturally, might linger for seven days to reclaim the stolen money. After this period, according to religious beliefs, the spirit will proceed to its next destination.
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