Italian expat arrested for stealing from Phuket temple

[webfact]

Italian expat arrested for stealing from Phuket temple
Phuket Gazette


Mr Minichelli re-enacts stealing the money from the Phuket temple donation box. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- An Italian expat down on his luck was arrested yesterday after he stole 100 baht from a donation box at a Phuket temple.

Monks at Karon Temple (Wat Suwankirikhet) reported to police that a man had stolen money from a donation box several times, said Karon Police Deputy Superintendent Sophon Borirak.

When police viewed the temple CCTV yesterday, they saw a man use a stick with gum attached at the end to fish money out of the donation box.

Anticipating he would come back, police hid in the temple to wait for him, said Lt Col Sophon.

“At about 6:30 pm yesterday, he came back, walked directly to the box and used the stick to take money from it,” he explained.

“Officers waited until he put a 100-baht banknote in his pocket before they moved in and arrested him,” he added.

The man, identified by police as Franco Minichelli, 54, confessed to police that he stole the money, said Col Sophon.

“He told police that he had been living in Phuket for 10 years and owned a seafood restaurant in Rawai that went bankrupt. He was destitute, so he turned to stealing the donation money,” he said.

Mr Minichelli has been charged with theft.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Italian-expat-arrested-for-stealing-from-Phuket-temple-22093.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-08-27

[laurentbkk]

Could be interested to know why his restaurant bankrupt or if his Thai "wife" kicked him out of his own restaurant .... to steal donation money, I guess the guy is either a lunatic either desperate. Is it necessary to put his picture in the papers for one hundred baht , when murderers here can get bail so easily.

[guru]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

[TackyToo]

Looks like we enjoy an Italien week now after all the Russian related news.

[Johnnie99]

Every time I see 'expat steals ...' I always think these must be very desperate people. After all, hasn't Thailand enough of its own? Send him home (to quote Pike).

Edited August 27, 2013 by Johnnie99

[Johnnie99]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

The temples will provide? When did that last happen? Or perhaps you think that all the poor and starving on the streets prefer not to go to a temple?

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

[guru]

Thais and foreigners will be fed and sheltered at temples. I have heard of this through my family and foreigners posting here who have personal experience.

[anon210]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

 

 

The temples will provide? When did that last happen? Or perhaps you think that all the poor and starving on the streets prefer not to go to a temple?

 

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

Generally buying their gadgets with that donation money!

Hence, their promptness to call the police... isn't the idea of Buddhism to change souls by showing compassion and leniency? Actually for monks, just a business. Not astonishing they behave like any shipowner would do with a shoplifter.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Suradit69]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

The temples will provide? When did that last happen? Or perhaps you think that all the poor and starving on the streets prefer not to go to a temple?

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

"...starving on the streets prefer not to go to a temple?"

Who is starving on the streets? People may be begging for money, but I doubt they are unable to get food. Thailand is not like the US or Europe or Africa where so many people are hungry.

In any event, the topic is about an Italian thief. Somehow everything subject is quickly turned to be the fault of Thailand.

Edited August 27, 2013 by Suradit69

[steelepulse]

No reason to plaster the guy's image ( nor even make headline news) for pinching 100 baht <deleted>.

[LotusBoy]

Ohhh come on!! Hardly the crime of the century, 100B. Look at that other clown, ex-monk, who stole millions........

Give the poor fellow a break.

[72BKK]

a few days ago i read about that fellow countryman in trouble with his company (that builds boats in Pattaya). I said i was not used to read articles about italians commicting crimes in Thailand. LoL!! This guy must be very desperate.

By the way in thaivisa-facebook there are 5 comments about this report and just 1 of them using words ITALIAN MAFIA. Lol!! just 1 of 5%!! hey!! what's up guys!!

[webfact]

Italian caught robbing Phuket temple donation box
Naraporn Tuarob

PHUKET: -- Italian Franco Menichelli, 54, was arrested yesterday afternoon (August 26) at Wat Karon on a charge of stealing money from the place of worship.

Pol Lt Channarong Prakongkeua of Karon Police told The Phuket News today, “A monk saw from CCTV footage in the wat that Menichelli was stealing money from a donation box. The monks had been checking the cameras diligently because many things had been stolen from the wat.

“He was first spotted stealing on Sunday (August 25), around 5pm. He had two knitting needles tied together with some chewing gum on one end. He poked this into the slot of the donation box and used it to stick to money inside.

“The first time [as witnessed on camera] he got B100. Alerted by the monks, police officers went to Wat Karon on the same day but Menichelli didn’t come back. Yesterday, however, he returned at the same time of day and officers were watching. They caught him red-handed taking another B100.

“Menichelli told us that he spent the first B100 he stole to buy a meal. He said he used to have money but had invested it in a restaurant in Rawai that went belly-up.

“His Thai wife told us that they are poor but not so poor as to have to steal money from a donation box. She didn’t expect her husband to descend to stealing money,” Lt Channarong said.

“He told officers that he has been in Phuket for 10 years. But the last time he came to Thailand was a year ago. We have to check whether his permit to stay is still valid. If it’s not he will be charged with overstaying.”

Those found guilty of overstaying are usually fined, and then spend days locked up until they can be deported. Some, though not all, are barred from returning to Thailand.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/italian-caught-robbing-phuket-temple-donation-box-41592.php


-- Phuket News 2013-08-27

[Andre0720]

In a temple.

Where lessons of compassion should guide the day.

Where those who follow the teachings of the great ones are found.

Where was he, the one who should have put a hand on his shoulder, and give him 500 bahts?

[Suradit69]

Ohhh come on!! Hardly the crime of the century, 100B. Look at that other clown, ex-monk, who stole millions........

Give the poor fellow a break.

Compared to the billions stolen in the financial centers of New York and London, it's small potatoes, but stealing Baht 100 isn't the news. It's stealing from a temple or donation box (as another farang did recently in Pattaya) is. It's not so much the amount as the disrespect shown.

Yes, there are monks (priests, rabbis, imams, et al) who have done worse, but that doesn't mean the bar has been lowered for everyone in the race to put a price tag on every action. People would like to believe some things and some places merit some extra respect.

[TheGhostWithin]

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

Generally buying their gadgets with that donation money!

Hence, their promptness to call the police... isn't the idea of Buddhism to change souls by showing compassion and leniency? Actually for monks, just a business. Not astonishing they behave like any shipowner would do with a shoplifter.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yes, I have seen those monks. And the head abbots of Bangkok should be in there dishing out punishment to those that are there. Or Police should be removing them. They are not just there to look, but actually buying things. Some really expensive things many Thais (such as the man with his head probably still stuck underneath the phone box) cannot afford. Yes, the monk-hood is to demonstrate and lead with compassion and leniency, but perhaps considering he had done the same thing several times in a place of thought, they thought they had been compassionate and lenient enough. How many Thais have you heard that have stolen from Vatican churches?

Edited August 27, 2013 by TheGhostWithin

[KRaymond]

He could have just sat in front of that temple and maybe he could have earned more with a lot less embarrassment

[JulesMad]

Bad Karma!!!

[TheGhostWithin]

No reason to plaster the guy's image ( nor even make headline news) for pinching 100 baht <deleted>.

He has allegedly done this several times before.. so he has probably taken more than 100 baht.

Besides, it is not the point. He is a visitor in a country and stealing from the house of its' prevalent religion. It is an insult to all Thais who consider themselves Buddhists. It is an insult on the trust and respect that we as foreigners are given when we go to the temple. Every time I go to the temple I feel humbled at the kindness and attention to care given to me not only by other attendees, but by the monks themselves. I'm not referring to "tourist Wats" which are effectively religified tourist attractions, but places that everyday Thais go to show their respects, look for guidance and consider their precepts.

This might be in Karon, but it is not a bar, a dirty dusty street, there is no music and there are no elephants running riot beside howling tuk tuk drivers. This is where a few men find their ability in direction onto a better life.. do you not wish more Thais (and perhaps Italians if we judge all Italians by the actions of this ignorant visitor, which I think is unfair) did the same?

[nycjoe]

there is definitely a woman in this story somewhere.

[morpho]

I bet this farang gets skewered for stealing 100 ThB from a temple....while Mr. Wirapol Sukphol (AKA Luang Pu Nen Kham) will get away scot-free after stealing millions.

That's Thai justice.

[Thai at Heart]

If you are going to do it, do it big.

The billionaire monk is still free right?

[Kommiekat]

I liked the method he used.

Bubble gum on a stick.

Nice!

I used to use bubble gum to temporarily repair US$1 mill Laser copiers when I worked for Xerox back in '85.

Mans greatest invention!

[VINCENT2012]

well well well what a new !! and they spend ink for this kind of staff ......when the real theft are all wearing ties and stealing milions ..but of course we dont see picture of them on thai visa.

Perhaps it is wrong to get money from donation but it is also wrong from government not to help farangs in dificulties ,especially with so many stupid laws made for foreigners only, AND IF A WOMAN AND A ENTIRE THAI FAMILY TAKE EVERYTHING FROM YOU...NO PROBLEM...it is normal.

This ITALIAN person is not a teenage and in my opinion, the monk should have caught and talk to him before calling the police. i am sure something not nice was happening to him to act like this.That would have helped and been more in relation with the Buddhism i know.

[cup-O-coffee]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

If the monks did what they were supposed to do, the police would never have gotten involved, and this would be a non-issue.

It is rather odd, isn't it? With all the negative publicity in the media about pedophile monks, lecherous monks, theiving monks, heritic, lottery winning monks, embezzling monks, uncelibate monks, dog-killing monks, etc etc....

This would have been a grand opportunity to demonstrate their religion in a positive light and to have forgiven the man and taken him in and counseled him.

Instead, they turn him in to the police! Why? So they can get back to counseling the thieving, murdering, drug addicted, rapist acolytes serving time in the monkhood to escape imprisonment.

Mensches they are not in this matter. It is my opinioin they are hypocritical, dirt-bags.

[coconutbar]

no wonder most of the thais hate us or dont wont anything to do with us .idiots like this seem to be a dime a dozen in LOS these days

Sent from my LT26i using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Colabamumbai]

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

Generally buying their gadgets with that donation money!

Hence, their promptness to call the police... isn't the idea of Buddhism to change souls by showing compassion and leniency? Actually for monks, just a business. Not astonishing they behave like any shipowner would do with a shoplifter.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Yes, I have seen those monks. And the head abbots of Bangkok should be in there dishing out punishment to those that are there. Or Police should be removing them. They are not just there to look, but actually buying things. Some really expensive things many Thais (such as the man with his head probably still stuck underneath the phone box) cannot afford. Yes, the monk-hood is to demonstrate and lead with compassion and leniency, but perhaps considering he had done the same thing several times in a place of thought, they thought they had been compassionate and lenient enough. How many Thais have you heard that have stolen from Vatican churches?

They don't have to steal from the Vatican or any other foreign country, they can get state welfare, maybe a free or almost free house or housing, as you must know immigrants to our countries are given more by our governments than we are. Yes no soup lines or sleeping dorm style for these folks, while we work our bloody <deleted> off hoping to live long enough to collect our pensions. Yes by all means go to Canada, get a free handout, from my tax dollars.

[mrdome]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

The temples will provide? When did that last happen? Or perhaps you think that all the poor and starving on the streets prefer not to go to a temple?

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

Generally buying their gadgets with that donation money!

Hence, their promptness to call the police... isn't the idea of Buddhism to change souls by showing compassion and leniency? Actually for monks, just a business. Not astonishing they behave like any shipowner would do with a shoplifter.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You must have misunderstood something along the way. ... And as if in the Catholic churches they wouldn't do the same thing btw.

Being Buddhist doesn't mean you just let the thief take all they want and let then come back for more - not in the Buddha's teachings. This guy really needed to get busted. It's the lowest of the low to steal from any donation box.

"Actually for monks, just a business." And all Catholic priests are just running pedophile brothels? Sure, there are bad apples (and usually they fall sooner rather than later and when they do they fall all the way down) but painting everyone with the same brush seems a bit harsh, no?

[umbanda]

If he was hungry or needed shelter the temples will provide. But he's been a very silly billy for stealing and will be in a heap of trouble now.

The temples will provide? When did that last happen? Or perhaps you think that all the poor and starving on the streets prefer not to go to a temple?

Seems to me that the monks are usually in Panthip on a Sunday afternoon, usually 3 or 4 pm buying their latest gadgets.

Somehow temples provide food and shelter, or some kind of help for Thai people in need. I do not know if its help falangs very often, but I know that falangs are welcome in many temples, if they are willing to do some work or get sincerely involved in the religion...This guy is in very bad shape financially and mentally and needs help. I hope the Thai police will understand that and help him to find the legal and financial assistance he will need to resolve his situation. I think is time to expats help expats in trouble and not just post negative critics and opinions...NOBODY IS FREE OF PROBLEMS SOME TIME IN LIFE..

[KarenBravo]

The guy has been in Thailand 10 years. He knew full well that stealing from a temple's collection box was taboo.

It just goes to show what desperate measures people will resort to, just so that they don't have to leave Phuket.

I know a few people that are only a couple of years from this guy's position. I hope they see sense and buy a ticket home before it's too late.

Edited August 27, 2013 by KarenBravo