Police Probe Any Terror Link in Arms Cache

UPDATE

Rifle Probe Links Soldiers and Civilians in Chon Buri

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

Police in Chon Buri have expanded an investigation into a Chinese national accused of possessing military-grade firearms, uncovering links to five people, including two soldiers, over the alleged sale of an assault rifle in the Sattahip area.

Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2, Pol Maj Gen Chokchai Ngamwong, said on 11 May that suspect Mingchen Sun had already been charged with three offences. These include possession of firearms that cannot legally be licensed, carrying firearms in public without reasonable cause and possession of military equipment without authorisation. He has since been remanded in custody by Pattaya Provincial Court.

Police said a woman found at the scene has not yet been charged, as investigators have not found sufficient evidence linking her to the offences. However, she remains under questioning while authorities continue to expand the investigation. Immigration officials have already revoked the visas of both individuals.

Investigators traced one of two rifles seized from a property in Huay Yai, Bang Lamung district, to a network involving five people, including three civilians and two military personnel. Police believe the firearm was procured and sold to Mingchen Sun within the Sattahip police jurisdiction.

All five suspects were summoned to acknowledge charges related to jointly selling firearms that cannot legally be licensed. Although all denied the allegations, police said there was enough evidence to proceed with legal action before granting temporary release. The two Navy personal were later taken into military custody for disciplinary proceedings.

Police also traced a Glock 26 pistol found inside the suspect’s vehicle to a serving police officer. Metropolitan Police investigators are now coordinating further legal action. A second rifle remains under investigation because it has no registration number.

Authorities said Mingchen Sun appeared to have a strong interest in firearms collecting and target shooting, with records showing repeated visits to shooting ranges. Officers are now examining mobile phone data, financial transactions and technical evidence to determine whether he was simply a firearms enthusiast or had other motives.

Investigators said they have not found any evidence yet, linking the suspect to plans that could threaten Thailand’s national security. They also said there was no indication of involvement by state agencies, despite evidence suggesting illegal weapons trading had been taking place since late last year.

Questions also remain over the suspect’s nationality. Police said documents linked him to China, the Dominican Republic and South Korea, while also revealing possession of a Thai pink identification card. Officers confirmed they had found no evidence linking him to Cambodian nationality.

Police are continuing to investigate a modified white Toyota Altis involved in a crash near the Huay Yai railway road. The car was previously a green-and-yellow taxi before being converted into a private vehicle in 2021 and later transferred into Mingchen Sun’s ownership in late 2025.

Matichon reported that investigators found the vehicle had been heavily modified with lowered suspension, alloy wheels, Brembo brakes valued at around 160,000 baht, a turbocharger and an intercooler system, making it comparable to a racing car.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 12 May 2026

On 5/11/2026 at 5:48 AM, Georgealbert said:

The Chinese government consistently requires its citizens overseas to strictly abide by local laws and regulations, and will not shield illegal or criminal activities by its citizens abroad,

this is a joke right ?, most criminal activity in Thailand recently is committed by Chinese nationals from scams to fraud and then some.

WTF was this guy doing with C4 plus suicide vests and military grade weapons, there is something not right about this story especially the nationality, this was very obviously a terrorist plot caught by chance, if he was indeed Chinese then he was being paid to hold these items for someone else, what motive would a Chinese national have ............... none, I hope the police are on top of this, yes they will play it down in the interests of tourism but if is quacks like a ............ well it's a f###ing duck, people need to be very vigilant out and about right now