Police suspect B500k Patong temple robbery was an ‘inside job’
Eakkapop Thongtub

The monk's showed police the broken window and metal ladder left behind at the scene. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: Police believe that the thief or thieves who stole B500,000 in cash from the head monk’s residence at Wat Patong this week knew the abbot and temple well.

Officers led by Lt Col Anukul Nuket, Inspector of the Kathu Police, were called to the temple, formally known as Wat Suwankhiriwong, yesterday (July 30).

Head monk Phra Kru Pothipanyakorn showed them the broken window where the burglar/s entered the residence and a metal ladder left by the window.

Inside the abbot's residence, officers inspected the locker that was busted open and B500,000 in cash was stolen from, but important documents were left behind.

Lt Anukul said it is possible that two thieves came Wednesday night (July29) while Phra Kru Pothipanyakorn was in the main temple.

“They seemed to know exactly where to find the cash,” he said. “We suspect this might be the act of the temple boys or someone who knew the layout of the monk’s house and knew the head monk very well.

“Forensic police have inspected the scene and collected fingerprints left behind. Hopefully this will lead us to the burglars,” Col Anukul said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/police-suspect-b500k-patong-temple-robbery-was-an-inside-job-53439.php

-- Phuket News 2015-07-31

Well, Colonel Anukul, the footprints and fingerprints "left behind" will very likely turn out to be those of the two gentlemen in yellow, pictured in the photograph with your brilliant investigator, Inspector Klu So.

OK I know it is a Bank Holiday, but what the eff is he doing with 1/2M Baht in his room?

And perhaps, more importantly, why did the "temple boys" know where the money was?