Navy petty officer among three questioned over Chinese arsenal in Pattaya

Police are questioning three people of interest, including a chief petty officer in the Royal Thai Navy, in connection with the arrest of a Chinese suspect and the seizure of a large cache of war weapons from a luxury house in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province.

Two of the people of interest have only been identified as ‘Kachen’, a shooting instructor at a Pattaya firing range, and Chief Petty Officer ‘Methee’, attached to the Naval Military Police Division in Sattahip district.

They are linked to the procurement and sale of assault rifles discovered inside the residence of Ming Chen Sun, a 31-year-old Chinese national, in Huay Yai sub-district in south of Pattaya.

Police are working on the theory that Kachen allegedly contacted Methee seeking to purchase firearms and C-4 explosives for 200,000 baht.

The third person was identified as ‘Chamrong’, who is thought to have owned a bank account used to receive payments for M4 assault rifles.

Chamrong, meanwhile, told investigators that he had only opened the account to receive transfers from Ming Chen Sun and did not know the money was linked to weapons transactions.

According to investigators, at least five people are believed to be involved in the weapons procurement network.

Three people have already been brought in for questioning, while two others, an active-duty military officer and a former soldier, remain under investigation.

Meanwhile, national police chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet said last night the Chinese suspect claimed during questioning that all the weapons found in his possession were intended for self-harm.

The police said, however, that they do not believe the explanation due to the types of weapons seized, as well as the quantity and destructive power of the arsenal.

Kitrat said the suspect’s claims would be treated only as part of the investigation, while security agencies continue to expand the probe to establish all the facts.

The suspect also told investigators that he was interested in firearms and had purchased all the weapons online.

A background check initially found no links to terrorism or previous violent incidents, but police said nothing has yet been ruled out.

The suspect is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, carrying firearms in public, possession of firearms and ammunition without authorisation from the registrar, possession of explosives and possession of military-grade weapons without permission.

Authorities are also investigating whether the suspect’s wife was involved in or assisted in any wrongdoing.

Regarding a handgun found in the suspect’s possession, Kitrat said that an initial investigation showed that the firearm was originally registered to a police officer and had changed hands several times.

Kitrat said an investigation had been launched into how the weapon came into the suspect’s possession and whether the transactions were conducted legally.

Read more: Chinese man arrested with military arsenal, C-4 explosives in Pattaya