Dept begins inspections of antique shops in city

TEMPLE THEFTS

The Fine Arts Department has launched inspections of antique shops in Bangkok and surrounding provinces as part of efforts to find Buddha heads stolen recently from two temples in Ayutthaya.

Department deputy chief Khemmachart Thepchai yesterday said the National Museum Office, which is responsible for granting operating licences to antique shops, had been asked to inspect the shops in the capital to see if they were registered.

A total of 176 antique shops in Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan have registered with the authority this year, Mr Khemmachart said.

He said the number of antique shops registered with the authorities was small compared with the rising number of such shops in weekend markets such as Chatuchak and Sanam Luang 2, and those in department stores.

He estimated at least 1,000 antique shops have not registered.

Officials would be sent to inspect antique shops at weekend markets to check whether they had registered or not and to find out if they had violated the Ancient Monument, Antiques and National Museums Act.

The inspection teams would also check to see whether they had bought the Buddha heads which were stolen from the temples in Ayutthaya.

Meanwhile in Phuket, police shot dead a man allegedly trying to sell stolen Buddha amulets.

Following information that a gang of thieves were selling stolen Buddha amulets to a shop on Chaofa Tawan-ok road, police rushed to the shop and found two male suspects.

The officers asked to search the men, but they refused and fled. As police gave chase, one of the two men shot at the police, prompting the officer to return fire. One shot hit the suspect, identified only as Ong-ard.

The other man managed to escape.

In Ayutthaya, six Buddha statues have been stolen from a temple in Phachi district - only a kilometre from a police booth.

The theft from Wat Thammasinsopa in tambon Nong Namsai yesterday was discovered after the caretaker of the temple, La-or Ngernngarm, discovered that padlocks to the ordination hall had been forced open and six out of 10 Buddha statues had been stolen.

Mr La-or, 71, said the six missing bronze and silver Buddha statues were aged about 50 years old, and measured 6-9 inches wide.

He said the temple and local residents feared thieves might return to steal more statues, particularly the ancient one of Luang Phor Khao.

Earlier, robbers cut off and stole the heads of seven Buddha images from two temples in the province. So far, police have made little headway in finding the thieves.