Jonathan Fairfield Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Tourist arrested for stealing Bt1,400 from Chiang Mai temple Image: Komchadluek An American tourist has been arrested for stealing Bt1,420 from a donation box at a temple in Chiang Mai. A man named by police as Michael William Dewey, 48, was arrested late on Friday night in front of a guesthouse in Tambon Chang. His arrest followed a complaint by the abbot of Wat Nong Mor Khamtuan in Tambon Sriphum that a western man broke a donation box and stole money on Friday morning. The abbot, Phra Khru Praphat Sudkij, said the man was seen stealing on footage from a security camera. The abbot alleged that the man rode his bicycle to the temple to steal from it twice. Police said the tourist initially denied the charge but when he was confronted with the footage, he admitted it. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30342171 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-31 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ups7420 Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 What a jerk. That B1,420, trivial to an American, came in B20-B100 increments from people who are far worse off than this prick ever will be. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thaiwrath Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 I bet the monks were up in alms over this ! 3 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post z42 Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) But you can be a member of the Thai civil service and steal 88 million from funds destined for the poor and not even have the threat of arrest hanging over you. What a bunch of BS ? Edited March 31, 2018 by z42 18 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirmud63 Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said: I bet the monks were up in alms over this ! lol , only because he beat them to it . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Just1Voice Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 Going to jail, and then blacklisted over roughly $45. Stupidity comes in all shapes, sizes and nationalities. 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanemax Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, Just1Voice said: Going to jail, and then blacklisted over roughly $45. Stupidity comes in all shapes, sizes and nationalities. Don't think that he will get jail for that 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post simoh1490 Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 13 minutes ago, z42 said: But you can be a member of the Thai civil service and steal 88 million from funds destined for the poor and not even have the threat of arrest hanging over you. What a bunch of BS ? So two wrongs make a right.....I don't think so! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darksidedog Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 20 minutes ago, sanemax said: Don't think that he will get jail for that Sorry to disagree, but theft carries a one year minimum sentence. Two if under the cover of darkness. Even for amounts far less than this. He has to be really dumb or desperate, or both, to do this. Didn't even have the brains either to actually look around and see if there were any cameras anywhere! He will deserve whatever he gets for doing something so low. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Briggsy Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 34 minutes ago, z42 said: But you can be a member of the Thai civil service and steal 88 million from funds destined for the poor and not even have the threat of arrest hanging over you. What a bunch of BS ? You believe it to be BS as you are viewing this from a white man's perspective, that is from a moral and proportionate basis. However, you need to look at it from an Asian perspective. If you have power, you can do what you like, a little power gives some impunity and so on. If you don't have power or connections, petty thieving will be met with a disproportionately harsh response. If you continue to view Thailand through white man's eyes, you will be constantly shocked by the injustice of it all. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanemax Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 4 minutes ago, darksidedog said: Sorry to disagree, but theft carries a one year minimum sentence. Yes, just looked it up, between 1 and 5 years jail AND a fine !!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksidedog Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 An Off Topic Post has been removed. Questions relating to technical issues should be addressed to https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/19-forum-support-desk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tilacme Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 55 minutes ago, darksidedog said: He will deserve whatever he gets for doing something so low. I accept your authority in this area and i know you do good work. But your language "doing something so low"? He is a petty theft and no need to gloss it up from that. The fact that it was from a Wat has no bearing. He showed no violence and may be in a greater need. The Wat is the safety net for Thais but where is it for farangs in Thailand. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poanoi Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 really low to steal 1000 baht, i almost get embarrassed on his behalf. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darksidedog Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 1 minute ago, Tilacme said: I accept your authority in this area and i know you do good work. But your language "doing something so low"? He is a petty theft and no need to gloss it up from that. The fact that it was from a Wat has no bearing. He showed no violence and may be in a greater need. The Wat is the safety net for Thais but where is it for farangs in Thailand. I concede your valid point. Stealing from anywhere is bad, but stealing from a church or temple has always seemed morally deplorable to me, just above grave robbing. You are right though, it is just theft and who knows his need? 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midas Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 1 hour ago, sanemax said: Don't think that he will get jail for that even if he doesn't it will be recorded as a crime and he will have to declare it every time he wants to visit Thailand again. What a jerk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midas Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 12 minutes ago, Tilacme said: I accept your authority in this area and i know you do good work. But your language "doing something so low"? He is a petty theft and no need to gloss it up from that. The fact that it was from a Wat has no bearing. He showed no violence and may be in a greater need. The Wat is the safety net for Thais but where is it for farangs in Thailand. " The fact that it was from a Wat has no bearing" Each to their own but I feel quite sad for you that you think that way 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tilacme Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) 17 minutes ago, midas said: " The fact that it was from a Wat has no bearing" Each to their own but I feel quite sad for you that you think that way I have further saddening news for you, God does not exist. Edited March 31, 2018 by Tilacme 2 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilacme Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 18 minutes ago, midas said: even if he doesn't it will be recorded as a crime and he will have to declare it every time he wants to visit Thailand again. What a jerk If justice prevails, it would be a slap on the wrist and a good douse of community service. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midas Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 9 minutes ago, Tilacme said: I have further bad news for you, God does not exist. Oh dear whilst I agree with you about that I still believe with your outlook on things wouldn't allow you to enjoy Thailand to the full extent 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midas Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 5 minutes ago, Tilacme said: If justice prevails, it would be a slap on the wrist and a good douse of community service. Cultural differences Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksidedog Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 1 minute ago, Tilacme said: If justice prevails, it would be a slap on the wrist and a good douse of community service. Come on. You should know better than to expect justice around these parts. You can go nuts and cause carnage and wander away a Wai and 500 B lighter, when a good jail term would be more appropriate. Other times totally the opposite and amazing sentences dished out. Were I a soothsayer, I would suspect this chap will be regretting his actions for about 12 months, regardless of if that is appropriate justice or not. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilacme Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 4 minutes ago, darksidedog said: Come on. You should know better than to expect justice around these parts. You can go nuts and cause carnage and wander away a Wai and 500 B lighter, when a good jail term would be more appropriate. Other times totally the opposite and amazing sentences dished out. Were I a soothsayer, I would suspect this chap will be regretting his actions for about 12 months, regardless of if that is appropriate justice or not. That would be a travesty for such a minor misdemeanour imho. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilacme Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 15 minutes ago, midas said: Oh dear whilst I agree with you about that I still believe with your outlook on things wouldn't allow you to enjoy Thailand to the full extent I seriously hope i never get stuck in a lift with your good self, Mr Midas speaking garbage with no likes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksidedog Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 5 minutes ago, Tilacme said: That would be a travesty for such a minor misdemeanour imho. I totally agree with you. A year in jail is utterly ludicrous. Finding out why he did it and taking that into consideration would be the right and sensible thing to do. The Thai system does not consider mitigating circumstances though. They just have a tariff to go by for each crime and dish it out thoughtlessly. It is why I reiterate that true justice and punishment proportionate to the crime are rarely found around here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midas Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 5 minutes ago, Tilacme said: I seriously hope i never get stuck in a lift with your good self, Mr Midas speaking garbage with no likes. That applies both ways 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilacme Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 6 minutes ago, darksidedog said: I totally agree with you. A year in jail is utterly ludicrous. Finding out why he did it and taking that into consideration would be the right and sensible thing to do. The Thai system does not consider mitigating circumstances though. They just have a tariff to go by for each crime and dish it out thoughtlessly. It is why I reiterate that true justice and punishment proportionate to the crime are rarely found around here. We dont seem to get any follow up news on sentencing, If you have any inside track then please feel free to pm me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally123 Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, darksidedog said: Stealing from anywhere is bad, but stealing from a church or temple has always seemed morally deplorable to me, Abbots have been doing it with impunity since time began. For this guy to do what he did he must have been desperate. I'd have thought the Abbot would have had a little compassion. Hold on, it was something the Abbot had eyes on for himself, so stuff the compassion. Edited March 31, 2018 by Rally123 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm just wondering how impoverished this guy was to be stealing such a trivial sum from an organisation which is revered by most Thais. Forget about the moral aspect, how did this guy even get into Thailand or maintain his visa? No no, don't tell me - he's broke because a Thai girl from an Issan village outsmarted him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tukkytuktuk Posted March 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted March 31, 2018 There's a video of the cctv footage on youtube. But it's difficult to watch when the news reporter keeps saying "farang" every 10 seconds with the news anchor replying "ur". Took a screen shot for you instead. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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