Myanmar Teen Arrested in Phuket After Flaunting Weapons on Facebook

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

Police in Phuket have arrested a teenage Myanmar national at a workers’ camp after photos of him brandishing a gun and large knives were posted on Facebook, causing alarm among local residents in the Cherng Talay area.

The incident came to light after three photos were widely shared on social media, showing the teenager posing with what appeared to be a firearm and a sparta-style machete, while making rude hand gestures. The post sparked concern from the local community, who called on authorities to take immediate action.

Cherng Talay Police Station posted an update stating that Pol. Col. Ekkarat Plaiduang, the station’s superintendent, ordered an investigation led by Pol. Lt. Col. Anurak Klangnarong, deputy superintendent of investigations, along with Pol. Capt. Wachira Amarin and Pol. Sub-Lt. Chanasin Pratheep Na Thalang, supported by the local investigative unit.

The suspect was identified as “Zaw”, a Myanmar national living in an unnumbered workers’ camp in the Ban Yaa area of Si Sunthon subdistrict, Thalang district. Police located and detained him at the camp, where he admitted to being the person in the photos, along with several Myanmar acquaintances whose exact addresses he did not know.

Upon questioning, Zaw confessed that the weapons in the images belonged to him. Officers determined that the gun was an imitation air gun and the knives, two in total, had been purchased from a local market.

The police seized the weapons and proceeded to record Zaw’s personal details as part of a risk-profile database. He was also taken to the locations shown in the Facebook photos to confirm the scene of the incident.

Authorities have not filed criminal charges at this time but are continuing to monitor the individual and his associates to ensure public safety.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-04