Arrest Made in Temple Sword Theft: Suspect Identified as University Associate Professor
Police arrested an associate professor from a prestigious university in connection with a theft of a ceremonial sword and crystal ball from a Nakhon Si Thammarat temple. The 40-year-old suspect, identified through security footage, is curre
Police have apprehended the suspect in a theft at Wat Nang Phraya temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. A well-dressed man driving a sedan broke into the temple's Buddha hall and stole a ceremonial sword of King Taksin and a brown crystal ball of Jatukam Rammathep. Security cameras captured the incident clearly.
On May 14, 2026, Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat police identified the suspect as Associate Professor Parinnya (surname withheld), age 40, from a prestigious university. Police tracked him to his residence in Ron Phibun district. The suspect's parents stated their son suffers from accumulated mental health conditions caused by family problems and is currently receiving hospital treatment. Regarding the stolen sword, Parinnya claimed he acted without conscious awareness.
During police questioning, Parinnya became agitated and verbally abused the temple abbot in front of officers. Police immediately placed him under custody and transported him to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation before proceeding with legal action.
