Thief caught after stealing historic sword from Bangkok temple
A notorious thief was apprehended after stealing a revered sword belonging to King Taksin from a renowned temple in Thonburi, Bangkok. The suspect, claiming self-defence intentions, was not believed by police who suspected a different motive.
The incident occurred at Wat Intharam Worawihan, situated in Bang Yi Ruea, Thonburi, where the sword went missing on Wednesday, November 13. CCTV footage revealed a slender man dressed in a long-sleeved military camouflage shirt and blue trousers entering the temple’s sanctuary at 2.39pm. He reached over the altar, took the 2.5-foot sword with a red hilt, and tucked it into his left trouser leg before disappearing from view.
Chanporn, a 35 year old coffee vendor operating a sidecar café in front of the temple, explained that she typically works from Tuesday to Sunday, taking Mondays off. She noted that the temple is quite deserted on weekdays, suggesting that the theft likely occurred then.
“From the CCTV clip, I think the person might not be in their right mind. A normal person wouldn’t dare do such a thing.”
The temple staff recounted that no one noticed the theft initially. It was only when they went to clean the sanctuary before closing it for the day that they realised the sword was missing. Upon reviewing the CCTV footage, they discovered the theft.
Bang Yi Ruea police successfully apprehended 46 year old Wanchai, also known as Dam, yesterday, November 15, along with the stolen sword. He was caught outside a scrapyard in the Sala Nam Yen Market located on Sutthawat Road, Ban Chang Lo, Bangkok Noi.
Initially, Wanchai confessed to the theft, claiming self-defence as his reason for taking the sword. However, police were sceptical of his claim, suspecting he intended to sell the item. The scrapyard refused to purchase the sword as it was not considered an antique. Wanchai, along with the evidence, was subsequently charged and taken into custody.
The police suspicion that Wanchai planned to sell the sword rather than use it for self-defence stems from the location of his arrest. The scrapyard, known for dealing in non-antique items, was an unlikely place for someone seeking protection through a historic sword. The police’s disbelief was further fuelled by the unusual nature of the theft itself, as the sword holds significant cultural value and is not the typical item someone would steal for personal defence.
The theft has sparked conversations about the security of historical artefacts in public spaces, particularly in temples that are both cultural landmarks and active places of worship. The incident underscores the need for enhanced vigilance and security measures to protect such valuable items from opportunistic theft, reported KhaoSod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news.
Why might someone steal a culturally significant sword from a temple?
Cultural artefacts can have both symbolic and monetary value, potentially motivating theft for personal gain or misguided purposes.
How does the theft of historical artefacts impact local communities?
It can undermine cultural heritage preservation, disrupt community trust, and highlight security vulnerabilities in public spaces.
What if the thief had successfully sold the sword at the scrapyard?
Selling a culturally significant item could lead to its loss or damage, hindering cultural preservation and historical education.
How can temples enhance security to prevent future thefts of artefacts?
Implementing advanced surveillance, increasing staff awareness, and collaborating with local law enforcement can help deter theft.
Why do authorities suspect motives beyond self-defence in this case?
The choice of a culturally significant sword and the attempt to sell it suggest financial motives rather than self-protection.
