Stealing Buddha's heads

Thailand - At least 20 heads have been stolen from statues of the Buddha in the World Heritage province of Ayathaya, Thailand. Police have vowed to redouble efforts to catch the thieves and thwart future thefts. 

"It's already sinful to steal from temples. It's much worse to steal ancient relics," said deputy national police chief Jongrak Juthanond. "The thieves are cursed and those who buy them are cursed, too." 

Phra Athikansadaeng Premasilo, the Wat Dong Wai temple's 77-year-old abbot was understandably upset about the recent theft of seven heads from sandstone Buddha images. He said, "When the monks woke up for morning prayers, it was still dark and we didn't notice anything until we found the dogs dead. They poisoned the dogs in the middle of the night before stealing the statues." 

The police are working with monks to discuss ways to improve sites' security including higher fences and barred windows. Installing security cameras is also part of the recommendations. "We believe there is a rise in demand in the antique markets abroad where people like to decorate their living rooms with these images," Police Chief Jongrak speculated.