Man held for theft shows police he desired to use Kotchasri to help rescue the country
Police have arrested a man suspected of stealing a steel statue of the mythological Kotchasri, a symbol from the Defence Ministry, and have recovered the effigy after it was kept in front of a noodle shop.
The suspect was first identified as Thongchai Saengtrakarn, a 38-year-old Bangkok resident, police explained on Saturday.
During questioning, Mr Thongchai reportedly advised investigators that he took the statue as they wanted it in order to rescue the country from its troubles.
The suspect as well admitted that he had been hallucinating after applying drugs when he took the sculpture from its plinth in front of the Defence Technology Institute on Pak Kret area of Nonthaburi area.
Law enforcement agency said Mr Thongchai later left this statue outside some noodle shop regarding Lat Phrao Soi 112. The store owner called law to retrieve the exact statue, which is at this moment at Wang Wide lace Lang station.
The effigy was one of a couple installed in front of the Protection Technology Institute. A security guard discovered the theft on Thursday early morning and reported it to police.
Surveillance online video showed the robber circling about with a motorcycle in front of the commence late Wednesday nighttime. He was wearing a whitened T-shirt and short circuits.
The exact statue was newly sculpted and is about 25 centimetres upright and 20cm extensive. The mythical pet has a lion’s human body with an elephant’s tusked head and increased trunk.
The suspect seemed to be taken to the Seek Division Provincial Authorities Region 1 for even more questioning and authorized proceedings.