Police snipers are protecting Buddhist artifacts at a Thai museum after a spate of robberies including one where thieves stole nearly 100 statues and works dating back 1,000 years.

Security was stepped up Friday at the Chawsamphraya National Museum, which houses collections from the oldest temples in Ayutthaya, a Siamese kingdom founded in 1350 with many remaining ruins that are now listed as a World Heritage Site.

Ayutthaya police Col. Sombat Chuchaiya said a special five-man force including snipers will remain at least through Dec. 20.

Temples in Ayutthaya, 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Bangkok, and elsewhere in Thailand have reported small-scale robberies in recent weeks. The Khon Kaen National Museum in northeastern Thailand was the latest one hit.

Museum director Ajara Kangsarikij said 91 “national treasures” all more than 1,000 years old were stolen Dec. 5, including bronze Buddha statues and Buddha heads, amulets, sheets of gold from ancient temples and burial sites and other items. Art officials were still working to assess the total value, she said.

“These are all outstanding pieces of art and the museum’s most famous, beautiful pieces,” Ajara said. “We had two security guards at the museum-now we have increased security and will have an extra policeman to help patrol and guard the collection.”

Thai authorities have appealed to the public to report any sign of the missing antiquities or tips to lead police to the thieves.

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