Seven men were arrested yesterday (Sunday) by park rangers for allegedly stealing Phra That stone, to be crafted into Buddha images or decorative items, in Sam Roi Yot National Park in Aam Roi Yot district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

The rangers had laid in wait in the bushes near the Mangkon cave, after they received a tip that a group of men would go to the mountain in Ban Ko Phai in Rai Mai sub-district to steal the stones.

As the group, each carrying a bag of stones weighing between 20-30kg, was descending from the mountain, the rangers emerged and made the arrests. Two managed to escape, but the remaining seven were taken into custody.

All seven suspects told the rangers that the stones would be crafted into Buddha images and decorative items, claiming that customers prefer the Phra That stones. They denied that they cut the stones from the mountain.