Last Updated on October 13, 2026 by Jeff Tomas
CHIANG MAI – Monks and novices at Wat Sri Suphan in Chiang Mai took matters into their own hands this week. They chased down and caught a man trying to steal a steel donation box. The local police received the emergency call around 11:30 AM on October 12. Officers from the Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station quickly arrived to make the official arrest.
The thief rode a heavy motorcycle into the temple grounds early in the morning. He pretended to be a regular visitor wanting to make merit. The temple’s security guards had not started their daily shift yet. As soon as the monks opened the main hall doors, the man grabbed the donation box and made a run for it.
Key Takeaways:
- Monks and novices chased down and caught a thief stealing a donation box at Wat Sri Suphan.
- The panicked suspect abandoned his getaway motorcycle and tried to flee on foot.
- Police discovered the thief is a repeat offender using an unregistered, illegal motorcycle.
Luckily, the monks and young novices spotted the crime right away. They shouted for help and sprinted after the fleeing suspect. Startled by the fast response, the thief tried to reach his parked motorcycle. The group of monks was too quick, forcing the man to drop his escape plan.
The Dramatic Chase on Temple Grounds
He abandoned the bike and tried to run away on foot while carrying the heavy box. However, the temple residents quickly surrounded and captured him before he could leave the area. Thankfully, the stolen box held very little cash because the temple empties it every single day.
During questioning, the suspect fully confessed to the attempted theft. He admitted to having a long criminal record, with at least five past theft charges. After his recent release from prison, he could not find steady work. This led him to visit Wat Sri Suphan several times to plan his next crime.
The man also confessed that he borrowed a friend’s big bike for the robbery. Police checked the vehicle and found it was unregistered and completely illegal. Officers have now taken the suspect and the evidence to the local station. He will face strict legal action for his ongoing crimes.
