Monk Arrested for Theft of Golden Buddha Top

The report begins by discussing the disappearance of the golden top from the main Buddha statue at Hai Sok Temple in Nong Khai.

A monk named Maru, also referred to as 'Phra Ton', is identified as a suspect because he did not provide fingerprints for the investigation.

The monk was seen driving a temple vehicle out of the temple and was later tracked to a bus terminal, boarding a bus to Korat.

Police apprehended Phra Maru at a temple in Si Khio district, Nakhon Ratchasima, based on an arrest warrant for theft.

The monk was presented with an arrest warrant and subsequently defrocked by temple authorities due to the warrant.

Phra Maru admitted to taking the temple's pickup truck but denied stealing the golden Buddha top, claiming he was unaware of the fingerprint collection.

Police searched the monk's quarters but did not find the missing golden top.

The suspect stated he came to the temple in Si Khio to reside, and investigations revealed significant financial activity in his account, including a large deposit on May 18th.

When questioned about his finances, the suspect admitted to online gambling.

The report details the construction and value of the stolen golden Buddha top, which is composed of silver and gold, adorned with gems.

The timeline indicates the Buddha top may have been noticed as tilted on May 18th, with the theft confirmed on May 19th.

Following the discovery, police collected fingerprints from everyone at the temple, including monks, novices, and temple committee members.

CCTV footage shows the suspect's movements from the temple to the bus terminal and boarding a bus to Nakhon Ratchasima.

An investigation revealed the suspect's official temple affiliation was not Hai Sok Temple, but Michaiwanaram Temple in Nong Khai.

Information from his former temple suggests the suspect had a history of boasting, lavish spending, business failures, and involvement with drugs and gambling.

The suspect's sister believes he is innocent and is concerned due to his history of depression.

The suspect is being held in a police detention cell, having been defrocked due to the arrest warrant.

The report revisits the suspect's financial background, questioning the source of his wealth and his mother's statements about his savings.

Chat logs between the suspect and his mother on May 19th and 20th reveal discussions about the missing item and his desire to defrock.

In a message on May 21st, the suspect told his mother he was leaving the monkhood, to which she expressed concern about the timing.

Conversations with his mother indicate a desire to save money for a car, with the suspect mentioning fewer opportunities for funeral rites.

The suspect's mother expresses deep worry about his mental health and inability to contact him, fearing he might harm himself.

The mother recounts past financial struggles, including being scammed out of money intended for the suspect's work abroad.

The mother urges her son to confess if he is guilty and assures him of her forgiveness, prioritizing his life.

The suspect's uncle in Korat also calls for him to reveal the truth and face the legal process.

The report mentions that painters working on the temple were also asked to provide fingerprints, with two initially unable to comply.

The painters, a husband and wife, voluntarily came to provide fingerprints to clear their names and alleviate misunderstandings.

Police are continuing to collect evidence, including CCTV footage and fingerprints, to determine the suspect's involvement.

Following the incident, the temple is installing new CCTV cameras both inside the temple and around the premises.

A temple official recounts the events, including the suspect's suspicious behavior and attempts to prevent the removal of the Buddha top.

A community leader describes the suspect as a good person but urges him to come forward and explain the situation.

The report concludes by noting that fingerprint comparison will be crucial in determining the suspect's guilt.