Cambodia slams reports linking arms suspect to PM security unit

A Cambodian police spokesman has denied that a Chinese national arrested in Pattaya, Thailand, and linked to a cache of military-grade weapons, was connected to the Cambodian prime minister’s special bodyguard unit.

Meanwhile, the Chinese suspect, identified as Ming Chen Sun, was rushed to hospital on Sunday night after suffering severe convulsions while being processed at Pattaya Remand Prison.

Lt Gen Chhay Kim Khoeun, spokesman for the General Commissariat of the Cambodian National Police, rejected Thai media reports alleging that the suspect, who was arrested in possession of a Cambodian passport, had links to the Cambodian premier’s bodyguard headquarters (BHQ).

The spokesman described the allegations as “entirely false and baseless”, according to the Fresh News media outlet.

He said the claims were fabricated without clear evidence and accused those behind the reports of spreading disinformation aimed at portraying Cambodia as unstable and insecure in the eyes of the international community.

The spokesman added that the dissemination of false information appeared intended to damage Cambodia’s reputation as a sovereign nation that respects international law and values peace.

He also said such actions reflect discriminatory and provocative behaviour aimed at escalating tensions and deepening disputes between Cambodia and Thailand.

The Chinese suspect was arrested in connection with a large cache of military weapons and C-4 explosives discovered in Pattaya over the weekend.

They included two M4 carbines with 13 fully loaded magazines, ten hand grenades, two Glock 26 semi-automatic handguns, one pack of high-powered C-4 explosive weighing about 2.4kg, two sticks of dynamite, four Soviet-designed POMZ-2 stake-mounted anti-personnel landmines, several electric blasting caps, two gas masks, body armour and four 20-litre cans of petrol.

Police also found a video clip on the suspect’s cellphone showing him practicing shooting at a camp used by Cambodian BHQ troops, as well as conversations via ChatGPT discussing bomb attacks on key locations and the destructive power of C-4.

After the Pattaya Provincial Court denied him bail, Chen was taken to Pattaya Remand Prison in Chon Buri province. During the inmate screening process, at about 7.30pm on Sunday, he suffered violent convulsions, became unresponsive and showed signs of severe exhaustion.

Doctors said his condition was caused by extreme stress and his refusal to eat for three consecutive days, during which he drank only water.

Prison officials rushed him to a hospital for emergency treatment.

More than 20 police officers and security personnel were deployed around the hospital and nearby areas, with officers maintaining round-the-clock surveillance due to the case’s links to military weapons and national security concerns.