Chiang Mai: Thief arrested for stealing from temple caught in moral dilemma

A 20 year old man was recently apprehended in Chiang Mai for stealing from a charity donation box at Jettiyanusorn temple, also known as Ban Yang Phra That temple, in Doi Saket. The suspect reportedly fled on a bicycle after the theft, which took place on November 8.

Upon his arrest, the man confessed to taking 200 baht in cash from the donation box, claiming it was an impulsive act driven by a momentary lapse in judgement. He was also reportedly preparing to apply for a position in the police force.

Despite the temple’s leniency and willingness to not press charges, the case was still pursued by the authorities due to its criminal nature. The suspect’s family attempted to intervene, appealing to the village headman to request the police to drop the case. However, since it was a criminal case, the police proceeded with the legal procedures and filed a lawsuit in court for adjudication.

The suspect, 21 year old Nuntapop Chakrapan, visited the temple with his family to apologise for his actions. They met with Monk Mongkol Ketthammo, who forgave him and advised him to uphold moral and legal principles, reported KhaoSod.

Nuntapop promised the monk that he would not repeat such illegal actions. The family then escorted Nuntapop to the Doi Saket Police Station in Chiang Mai, where they handed him over to the investigating officer, Thanakorn Nuypom, who was in charge of the case. The court will now decide the legal proceedings.

In related news, the abbot of a Chong Lom Temple in the central province of Chai Nat reached out to news agencies for assistance regarding an ongoing theft at the temple. The serial temple thief is still at large even though CCTV footage features his face while committing the crime.

CCTV footage revealed the thief aged approximately 30 to 40 years old and approximately 175 centimetres in height entering the accommodation of the temple abbot, Komkrit, and stealing monk robes. Read more about this story HERE.