Picture courtesy of KhaoSod

 

By Bob Scott

 

A Turkish man was detained at Phuket International Airport after airport security uncovered ammunition hidden in his luggage.

 

The man, Isa Ates, found himself at the centre of a dramatic scene, insisting he had no idea how the bullets ended up in his suitcase.

 

The incident unfolded yesterday, February 3, when eagle-eyed airport officials, conducting a routine security check, spotted suspicious items on an X-ray scan of a bag destined for Malaysia Airlines flight MH787 to Kuala Lumpur.

 

The initial alert was raised at Phuket’s bustling international terminal, prompting swift action from the police.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornphumiphot Pongsapaiboon from the Sakhu Police Station was immediately notified of the threat. He, along with Police Major Chamnarn Intanon, rushed to the scene for a closer inspection of the flagged luggage.

 

 

Inside the suitcase, officers uncovered 5.56 calibre M193 bullets cleverly tucked away within a green jacket. The luggage was registered to none other than the 29 year old Turkish man, who freely admitted that the suitcase and jacket were indeed his.

 

However, he staunchly denied any connection to the concealed ammunition, claiming he was as surprised as the officers to find such contraband in his belongings.

 

Despite Ates’ protests of innocence, the matter was considered too serious to overlook. The police had no choice but to charge him with possession of ammunition without a proper licence, a permit that, in Thailand, is not something one can easily obtain over the counter.

 

Ates was reminded of his legal rights before both he and the incriminating items were taken to the Sakhu police station to face further legal proceedings.

 

With the police now deep into their investigation, it remains to be seen how Ates will explain the illicit bullets weaving their way into his travel plans. As Phuket Airport incident continues to shake travellers and officials alike, one thing is clear: this is a story that won’t be leaving the runway anytime soon.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2025-02-04

 

 

Ignorance is no defense, especially here...

What 'tourist' has bullets in his jacket? What you been up to Isa?

Thank goodness they found only inert bullets but no cartridges,😋

 

I seem to recall this being a recurring story a few years back with a suggestion that a few rounds of small arms ammunition were being planted in the baggage of tourists in  order to extort money from them.

How many rounds I wonder?

1? 2? 100?

Seems like it would make a difference.

40 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

How many rounds I wonder?

1? 2? 100?

Seems like it would make a difference.

According to the report they were just 'bullets' not rounds of ammunition.

I get that the bullet, or bullets, it doesn't say how many, are illegal, but they are they pretty useless without  something to fire them from?

5 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

According to the report they were just 'bullets' not rounds of ammunition.

So does that mean..without the casing, powder/propellant, rim and primer??

This is the typical tourist that thailand attracts now

1 minute ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

So does that mean..without the casing, powder/propellant, rim and primer??

Yes. The bullets, described as 5.56mm calibre, are inert projectiles.

That said, I suspect an incorrect description has been applied in this case.

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Thank goodness they found only inert bullets but no cartridges,😋

 

I seem to recall this being a recurring story a few years back with a suggestion that a few rounds of small arms ammunition were being planted in the baggage of tourists in  order to extort money from them.

 

I don't recall that within Thailand, but planting was an issue in Manila for a while.

On 2/4/2025 at 10:34 PM, hotchilli said:

Ignorance is no defense, especially here...

 

He was from turkey.