Wat Pho Thief Claims Buddha Approved Candlestick Theft

Police arrested a man leaving a chapel at Bangkok’s Wat Pho with stolen brass candlesticks concealed inside a black plastic bag. Officers had been stationed at the temple to prevent theft and pickpocketing when they noticed him behaving suspiciously and searched his belongings. The suspect admitted taking the objects but claimed a Buddha statue had smiled at him while he prayed, which he interpreted as permission to remove them. He also said he planned to donate the candlesticks to another temple in Uthai Thani, although police believe he intended to sell them. Temple staff confirmed that nobody authorised the removal, and the man was charged with theft from a public place of worship.