Two pagoda-dwelling punks betrayed the trust of their saffron-festooned hosts by stealing a whopping $700 and nine million riel (about $2,204) from the venerated site in Kampong Speu.

The audacious duo were arrested while making merry at a club on Wednesday after monks from the pagoda filed a complaint saying the exorbitant sum – which had been meant for renovation and maintenance of the pagoda – had gone missing.

The money has since been returned to the monks, and the thieving duo will soon face a judge.

Nokorwat