Buddha statue crests and replica footprint stolen; abbot suspects insider

Khaosod•Society•17d ago

Reader Briefing

A temple in Ratchaburi reports the theft of multiple Buddha statue crests and a large replica Buddha footprint, with the abbot suspecting a temple insider.

•Thefts occurred at Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan in Ratchaburi province.
•Stolen items include brass Buddha statue crests, other small brass Buddha statues, electrical components, and a large brass replica Buddha footprint that was over 10 years old.
•The abbot, Phra Athikan Phanupong Puriyano, suspects a temple insider and has reported the incidents to the police.
•Evidence suggests the thefts may have been carried out gradually.

Overview

•On May 14, 2026, reporters were informed by villagers about a break-in at Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan, resulting in widespread theft of temple property.
•Phra Athikan Phanupong Puriyano, the abbot, led reporters to inspect the damage at the merit-making hall, where over 10 Buddha statues were found to have their brass crests removed or destroyed.
•Additional items stolen from the temple include electrical circuit boards, power outlets, two air conditioners, ceiling fan blades, all wires in the hall, and the temple's CCTV cameras.
•A large brass replica Buddha footprint, located in a meditation cave and created over 10 years prior, was also removed.
•The temple has only three resident monks, and at the time of the initial reports, two monks were caring for the temple while the abbot managed a lower area.
•Phra Athikan Phanupong Puriyano expressed deep distress over the theft of the Buddha footprint, stating it was a symbol of the temple's spiritual significance.
•The abbot suspects a temple insider, citing that a young temple worker was apprehended with two pieces of cut brass, which the worker claimed the abbot had given them.
•Police are continuing their investigation to apprehend the culprits and recover the stolen items.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

Phra Athikan Phanupong Puriyano

"It hurts my heart the most because it signifies we have a dripping Buddha footprint in the cave. When I went up to look, it was all gone."

เจ็บในหัวใจที่สุด เพราะเป็นสิ่งที่บ่งบอกว่าเรามีรอยพระพุทธบาทน้ำหยดอยู่ในถ้ำ พอขึ้นไปดูก็สรุปหายไป

Phra Athikan Phanupong Puriyano

"I suspect someone close. They claim to have caught thieves, but why take the items?"

สงสัยคนใกล้ตัว บอกไปจับขโมย แต่เอาของออกไปทำไม

Key Entities

Person

Abbot(หลวงพ่อ)

The spiritual leader of Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan who reported the temple's theft.

Phra Athikan Phanupong Puriyano(พระอธิการภาณุพงษ์ ภูริญาโณ)

The abbot of Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan who suspects a temple insider was responsible for the theft of Buddha statue crests and a replica Buddha footprint.

Place

Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan(วัดถ้ำกุญชรราษฎร์ รังสรรค์)

The temple in Ratchaburi province where brass Buddha statue crests, a replica Buddha footprint, and other temple valuables were stolen.

Ratchaburi(ราชบุรี)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan is located.

Nong Krathum Subdistrict(T.หนองกระทุ่ม)

The subdistrict in Pak Tho District, Ratchaburi Province, where Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan is situated.

Pak Tho District(อ.ปากท่อ)

The district in Ratchaburi Province where Wat Tham Kunchornrat Rangsan is located.