Thai Police Capture Over 1,500 Suspects, Seize 1,789 Firearms in National Illegal Weapons Crackdown

[webfact]

 

National — On October 12th, 2023, Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, commissioner general of the Royal Thai Police and relevant officers gave an official statement on a large-scale operation to eradicate illegal and improvised weapons users and dealers.

According to the Thai Prime Minister’s command and response to the Siam Paragon shooting incident, Pol Gen Torsak aimed to deploy forces to eradicate criminals.

 

 

As a result, in 47 provinces across Thailand, there were 3,224 locations searched, 1,593 alleged suspects captured, 1,789 illegal and improvised firearms and 75,973 units of ammunition seized, and more illegal equipment confiscated.

Pol Gen Torsak also coordinated with relevant officials to shut down online websites and other social media platforms relating to illegal firearm deals. 

 

By Kittisak Phalaharn

 

Full story: THE PATTAYA NEWS 2023-10-14

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[ChaiyaTH]

Only 4 million to go, as of what they know.

[Pique Dard]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

large-scale operation to eradicate illegal and improvised weapons users and dealers.

eradicating this scourge? i doubt it, no country has managed to do it, but preventing it from growing is a step in the right direction.

[hellohello123]

"hey boss whats this? Kinda looks like a flute.....

do you think its made of chocolate?

boss: "dunno, maybe you could blow bubbles out of it"

Edited October 13, 2023 by hellohello123

[ChipButty]

Did they not find any drugs in their raids? if not I dont believe this story, carry out so many raids across the country there is not enough police, 

[Iron Tongue]

Those confiscated firearms look like garbage.  

Wait until Thai criminals figure out how to use 3D printers.

[harleyclarkey]

"Funny" thing is - these weapons and criminals were there before the Siam shooting.

Why wait till now?? 

[kwilco]

Clean up Samui!

[hotchilli]

27 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Did they not find any drugs in their raids? if not I dont believe this story, carry out so many raids across the country there is not enough police, 

Keep looking Mr Blue hands.

[Nickcage49]

I've got a question. Why don't they just do their jobs when we're not having a "crackdown"?

 

If all this was out there, why would they all of a sudden find them? I think I know.

[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, harleyclarkey said:

"Funny" thing is - these weapons and criminals were there before the Siam shooting.

Why wait till now?? 

Simple. Drop in chinese tourism and worry about drop in chinese tourism

[Aussie999]

I wonder if they realise  how stupid the world perceives them, to sudden find 1500 suspects.

[metisdead]

Some posts contravening our Community Standards have been removed.

[2baht]

31 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

I wonder if they realise  how stupid the world perceives them, to sudden find 1500 suspects.

Does the world really care what happens in Thailand??? ????

[ChipButty]

2 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Does the world really care what happens in Thailand??? ????

Americans think Thailand is the capitol of Taiwan  

[2baht]

2 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Americans think Thailand is the capitol of Taiwan  

Kangaroos are native to Austria though, aren't there??? ????

 

 

Edited October 13, 2023 by 2baht

[Asquith Production]

1 hour ago, harleyclarkey said:

"Funny" thing is - these weapons and criminals were there before the Siam shooting.

Why wait till now?? 

Because they are a reactive  force and not proactive. Things only happen when it hits the headlines and may have a negative effect on tourism or Thai social media makes it a big thing.  All the online gun shops were operating before the latest shooting. The RTP are not really into crime prevention.

[kiwikeith]

2 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

eradicating this scourge? i doubt it, no country has managed to do it, but preventing it from growing is a step in the right direction.

QUITE right, gun problem is worse since mosque shooting in NZ,and gun crackdown, shootings daily now, mainly gang related, with illegal firearms, smuggled into the country. 

[kiwikeith]

2 hours ago, Nickcage49 said:

I've got a question. Why don't they just do their jobs when we're not having a "crackdown"?

 

If all this was out there, why would they all of a sudden find them? I think I know.

Looks Good?? 

[brianthainess]

And the sentence received is ????????????

[mikebell]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Pol Gen Torsak aimed to deploy forces to eradicate criminals.

A novel approach for RTP!

 

'1,789 illegal and improvised firearms and 75,973 units of ammunition' - they could bag this much if they searched every taxi in Bangkok.

[outsider]

Laughably typical. This operation to eradicate criminals and illegal and improvised weapons is just a one-off knee-jerk. Like all other operations whether it's traffic- or drugs-related etc. nothing will happen after this one major clown show. After this, everyone will just go back to their normal police duties - bothering people, extorting for tea money and, in major cities, it also includes harassing tourists and foreigners. Basically doing feck-all.

[Butts]

Clearly an exaggerated made up story too make Thailand look safe again and regain face after the shooting last week..... to the thinking person total propaganda BS.  Truth is Thailand is reasonably safe, with the exception of the road ways thats an area that could be improved or could it they seem hell bent on driving in a total day dream not looking before they turn, no helmets, speeding in small high density areas like its the autobahn..... ????

[findlay13]

I remember there was a "crackdown" under Taksin too. Another great success. A little Thai resturant I used to go to had a pseudo musket hanging on the wall completely useless fake  but they confiscated it anyway.????

Edited October 14, 2023 by findlay13

[sambum]

5 hours ago, harleyclarkey said:

"Funny" thing is - these weapons and criminals were there before the Siam shooting.

Why wait till now?? 

They have to be seen to be doing something! Apparently, the "Siam shooting" could affect the tourist trade! ???? 

[Jackbenimble]

Maybe it's the sceptic in me but the moment they start being precise with figures - as they are in this story - that's the moment I suspect something is not right.

If such a thorough search actually was carried out in 47 provinces across Thailand, 3,224 locations then it's a "start" but not very thorough.

1,593 alleged suspects captured - captured? Meaning..........arrested? Charged? Fined? Told off?

1,789 illegal and improvised firearms and 75,973 units of ammunition seized - again not very thorough for the area covered.

My first thought was these items were already in the possession of the RTP and hauled out for a photo opportunity.........but that's just me being sceptical. 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Jackbenimble
spelling

[Elkski]

Did they use list from the online vendors they busted recently?  Did they have search warrants for all those locations?  

[BritScot]

1 hour ago, Butts said:

Clearly an exaggerated made up story too make Thailand look safe again and regain face after the shooting last week..... to the thinking person total propaganda BS.  Truth is Thailand is reasonably safe, with the exception of the road ways thats an area that could be improved or could it they seem hell bent on driving in a total day dream not looking before they turn, no helmets, speeding in small high density areas like its the autobahn..... ????

Scratch the surface and you will see Thailand is anything but safe. Small village I lived in there was a murder nearly every year and I can't remember anyone going to prison (death money paid to relatives and police). It was always over trivial things like a felt insulting tip at a karaoke party (stabbed to death) advice to a friend when his wife left him (stabbed to death) young boy dealing drugs (shot) and the saddest a boy of 15 shot over a girl. 

[ujayujay]

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

And the sentence received is ????????????

Which country are you from? Penalties are generally imposed there before the court has dealt with them!?

[Dogmatix]

Probably a lot of these will end up back on the black market. Police and military and park are said to be responsible for a lot of arms trafficking particularly over the Burmese border.