Picture courtesy of SiamChon.

 

Police from Nong Prue Police Station arrested Boonmee Sawangwong, aged 38, an unemployed former ironworker, after he was caught selling homemade firearms in a sting operation. The arrest took place at 21:35 on September 14, at Soi Phatthanakan 2/1, Nong Prue Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province.

 

The operation was led by Deputy Superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Somchonok Fakphairoj and Pol. Lt. Col. Apichat Boonkerd, who had received information from an informant about an individual illegally producing and selling firearms to local youths. Authorities planned a sting, arranging to buy a homemade firearm, known as "The Ringer," for 2,000 baht.

 

 

When Boonmee arrived at the agreed location to deliver the firearm, police revealed their identities and arrested him. They seized the homemade 11mm pistol along with two rounds of ammunition as evidence.

 

Further investigation led officers to search Boonmee’s home, where they discovered a large cache of gun parts, ammunition, and homemade silencers used to test the weapons. All items were confiscated as evidence, and Boonmee was taken to Nong Prue Police Station for questioning.

During the interrogation, Boonmee admitted that he had been manufacturing the guns himself after learning how to do so through online tutorials. He explained that he turned to this activity after losing his job as an ironworker, using his knowledge of metalworking to create the weapons. He claimed it was a side job to earn extra income, selling each gun for a profit of 500 to 1,000 baht, but only to acquaintances who placed custom orders.

 

The suspect is now in custody, and police have filed charges for the illegal production and sale of firearms.

 

-- 2024-09-15

 

 

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I would say he seems to be self employed in business as a gunsmith, not unemployed. But that is just me...