Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities have uncovered a shocking case involving a university lecturer who allegedly operated an illicit online firearms business out of a welfare shop within a military base in Nakhon Si Thammarat.The suspect, Mr Wisut  41, was arrested following a raid by military operatives and has since been transferred to police custody.

 

The arrest took place inside the PX civilian-run store at Vajiravudh Military Camp, Fourth Army Region Headquarters, where Mr Wisut had been renting space. Officials discovered a large cache of illegal weapons, including 35 firearms, over 16,000 rounds of ammunition and more than 100 related items. Investigations revealed that the weapons were being sold online and distributed via private delivery services.

 

Following his arrest, Mr Wisut was charged with multiple serious offences: illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of prohibited firearms, and unauthorised sale of firearms and explosives, offences that carry penalties of up to 20 years or life imprisonment under strict firearms regulations.

 

Further investigations revealed that Mr Wisut holds a teaching position in the Business Administration programme at a prominent university in southern Thailand. He recently completed his PhD at a respected Thai institution and was in the process of securing a higher academic rank.

 

Financial investigations uncovered that he used a company account, involving two other individuals, his father-in-law and sister-in-law, listed as company directors. Authorities believe their names were likely used without active participation. Mr Wisut’s personal accounts showed suspicious transactions involving tens of millions of baht.

 

Additional intelligence indicated that Mr Wisut had also constructed an unlicensed shooting range in Pho Thong subdistrict, Tha Sala district. The large volume of ammunition recovered included military-grade rounds — 5.56mm for M16 rifles and 7.62mm for machine guns, many of which were still packed in steel crates bearing serial numbers.

 

Initial findings suggest the ammunition originated from a national security agency and implicate at least two individuals currently serving within that agency. Authorities are now seeking arrest warrants for further suspects and continuing to trace the wider network.

 

This case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of military infrastructure and academic positions for criminal enterprises, prompting a wider probe into internal security practices and arms control.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-30.

 

 

 

Selling military weapons from a military base....hmmm. Hope the authorities are going after the military personnel who were helping him with this business venture.