"Master Limp" amulet thief finally arrested in Udon



UDON THANIL -- Udon police have finally managed to arrest a master amulet thief after more than 50 burglaries in the region.

The man continues to deny his involvement despite a wealth of evidence, reported Thairath.

Balding Phidech Trathong, 50, is known as "Master Limp of Suphanburi" and is a well known dealer in Buddhist amulets at Udon markets.

But police say he got his merchandise at dozens of break-ins where he was finally recognized because of his characteristic limp. Sometimes he went back to steal from the same place three times and even his Honda Civic car was remembered.

Udon police saw him driving around on Saturday in his car and tried to stop him. But he managed to steal a Fino motorcycle and make good his escape. In the abandoned car they found 2,000 amulets from well known temples, watches, phones, cameras and other goods.

But police managed to track him down on Monday through a pawn ticket they found and he was traced to some rented rooms where he was hiding. They found housebreaking equipment.

Phidech told police that he had bought all of the items legitimately. So they showed him CCTV of him entering properties - he still denied it. Witnesses came to identify him saying he was the one going into their houses - "I was going to see a friend....I went in the wrong house" he said.

Someone said they had seen him at the same property three times - "not me" he said.

Police are happy that they have enough evidence to convict him in the matter of theft from some 50 properties.

Source: Thairath

-- 2016-07-07

I thought they were supposed to bring you luck !

"Balding Phidech Trathong, 50,"

Why do we need to know he is balding?

Or is that his name?

If so, from the picture it would seem to have been a remarkably accurate prophecy on the part of his parents.

Edited July 7, 201610 yr by Bluespunk

"Balding Phidech Trathong, 50,"

Why do we need to know he is balding?

Or is that his name?

If so, from the picture it might seem to have been a remarkably accurate prophecy on the part of his parents.

Balding is, as you say, his name. A bit like good old Baldrick.

deny, deny, not me, not me. guess he will finally plead guilty just to get sentence cut in half. Then he can start in a new town when he gets out.

Not a real effective system of handling habitual criminals. These are the type to put on board fishing vessels that stay at sea for years at a time, pay goes into bank and when his time is served he has a nest egg or he might like the work and stay on.

"Master Limp" guess he is lucky his name is not "bate" then

Bluespunk, on 07 Jul 2016 - 10:54, said:

"Balding Phidech Trathong, 50,"

Why do we need to know he is balding?

Or is that his name?

If so, from the picture it would seem to have been a remarkably accurate prophecy on the part of his parents.

for the same reason the call him ' limp' I hope they referred to his bum leg and not his manhood.....

Udon police saw him driving around on Saturday in his car and tried to stop him. But he managed to steal a Fino motorcycle and make good his escape

Udon S.W.A.T. team:

"He did not stop! What's he doing now?"

"He got out of his car and is limping to some motorcycles over there."

"Hmm, wonder what he wants with those. Is he there yet?"

"Nope, still limping..."

"Call for back-up."

Dealer in Buddhists amulets. Give your head a shake.

News flash! Thai swat team fails to catch crippled thief, thief last seen limping away towards motosai! Can't make this stuff up folks, only in Thailand

Amulets are priceless - that is to say they do not have a monetary value but is not the same as worthless. They should not be bought and sold or traded and people who do this are people with a faulty moral compass (whether or not they are ordained.) That said it is only a small step to justify stealing them from people who should not be trading them in the first place. None of them are making merit for themselves sellers, buyers or thieves.

"Master Limp" guess he is lucky his name is not "bate" then

Limp Bate... I don't get it.