Temple thieves steal 200kg safe, flee with donations
Thieves broke into a temple in northeastern Thailand and stole a 200kg safe containing donations worth an estimated 40,000-50,000 baht, with police investigating multiple suspects caught on CCTV.
KHON KAEN — 25 April 2026, Police are hunting suspects who broke into a prominent temple in northeastern Thailand, stole donation boxes and carried off a safe weighing more than 200kg before smashing it open and fleeing with cash.
CCTV footage circulating on social media shows a slim man wearing a cap and face mask moving around Wat That Phra Aram Luang in Mueang district, searching for valuables and prying open donation boxes placed around the temple grounds.
Temple caretaker Thongdee Thonglon, 76, said the intruders likely climbed into the compound from outside before breaking into donation boxes near the pagoda and inside the ordination hall. A safe containing donations was taken from inside the hall and later found broken open in a nearby alley.
He estimated the thieves made off with around 40,000 to 50,000 baht in donated money. Some boxes were successfully forced open, while others showed signs of attempted break-ins.
Thongdee said the temple had switched off electricity at the time of the incident, leaving some internal cameras unable to record the theft. He added that petty theft had occurred before, but this was the first time a safe had been stolen.
Police said evidence from CCTV footage suggests two groups of suspects may be involved, one acting alone and another consisting of two individuals. One suspect has been detained and reportedly admitted to stealing less than 100 baht, while investigators are working to identify whether the second group was responsible for taking the safe.
Authorities are reviewing additional surveillance footage in nearby areas as they continue efforts to locate and arrest those responsible.
