A father and son have been detained by police in Siem Reap’s Sotr Nikum district after they were allegedly involved in the theft of ancient artefacts from the Reach Bor pagoda in the province.

Rithy Sen, 20, and his father, who was not identified, were part of a group of four initially arrested.

The other two, who are friends of Sen, have since been released after they were questioned last Friday.

The thieves struck on Wednesday night, making off with 12 kinds of ancient jewellery – including bronze wristlets and anklets – worth  about $5,000, according to the pagoda’s chief monk, Chum Kemleng. The artefacts have not been recovered.

“It is not expensive, but it is ancient property that I need back,” the chief monk said.

Kemleng said Sen had asked to stay at the pagoda about a month ago because he wanted to pursue the Dharma, the Buddhist path of righteousness, and become a monk. 

To contact the reporter on this story: Lieng Sarith at [email protected]