2 hours ago, radjag said:

.223 Remington, or, more commonly known as 5.56mm is the standard "Assault Rifle" round used almost everywhere. It is indeed "serious ammo" accurate and deadly out to more than 1,000m in the right hands and rifle.  Having said that, finding an AR to use the mag/ammo in is an interesting challenge in Thailand.

weekend plinking rounds they are.

grow some balls and shoot something decent.

It's an anorakish detail, but 5.56 ammo is deemed military use only here, while .223 is okay. I understand 'from a friend' that 'surplus' mil 5.56 sometimes makes its way into the civilian market. However if you got caught with head stamped 5.56 alongside your legally-owned long gun chambered in 5.56 / .223 it could lead to some tricky questions. A 5.56 chambered weapon can happily use 5.56 or .223, whereas it's not recommended to run 5.56 through a .223 chamber.

 

I'll get my coat.

21 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Obviously massively stupid if just a packing mistake, but as the article indicates his intentions matter, and as yet they are unknown. 

I just cannot accept it as a packaging error. This is serious and should be treated as such. Jail time.

1 hour ago, PomPolo said:

Hmmm a bit on the fence on this one there is a bit of history on the bullet in your luggage scam but a full magazine is a difficult one to explain and not sure I would like to be the one trying to do it!
Unless he is some sort of IDF soldier on R+R  between deployments or something I think the boy may be in a bit of deep do-do !

 

Magazine not full.

 

 20 or 40 round mags are typical..... can get larger up to 100 but they are drums.

So many special force veterans on board offering their imagined circumstances. Even I know that 5.56mm is standard NATO size. It is found in the IDF Tavor "Bullpup" assault rifle and the Galil automatic rifle.  It is also  used with the M4A1 Carbine. A quick look at the common weapons of the IDF shows that the Tavor and  M4A1 are common to IDF personnel.

 

It looks more like this man forgot or ignored the fact that he had his ammo in the bag. Look at the condition of the ammunition. It has not been properly stored.  This will be a shock to people who  live in nations where there is gun control, but it is a common occurrence in some countries to discover ammunition in baggage. The USA has an average of  6,500 firearm  stops in carryon baggage screening in any given year.  The TSA doesn't even bother reporting  ammunition finds because it is such a common occurrence.

 

If the man was on a mission or a smuggler, he would have not brought his ammunition in this way. It would have been obtained via diplomatic pouch or concealed in cargo. The simple explanation is most likely that he is an idiot and a slob who didn't check his back before he used it.

1 minute ago, Patong2021 said:

So many special force veterans on board offering their imagined circumstances. Even I know that 5.56mm is standard NATO size. It is found in the IDF Tavor "Bullpup" assault rifle and the Galil automatic rifle.  It is also  used with the M4A1 Carbine. A quick look at the common weapons of the IDF shows that the Tavor and  M4A1 are common to IDF personnel.

 

It looks more like this man forgot or ignored the fact that he had his ammo in the bag. Look at the condition of the ammunition. It has not been properly stored.  This will be a shock to people who  live in nations where there is gun control, but it is a common occurrence in some countries to discover ammunition in baggage. The USA has an average of  6,500 firearm  stops in carryon baggage screening in any given year.  The TSA doesn't even bother reporting  ammunition finds because it is such a common occurrence.

 

If the man was on a mission or a smuggler, he would have not brought his ammunition in this way. It would have been obtained via diplomatic pouch or concealed in cargo. The simple explanation is most likely that he is an idiot and a slob who didn't check his back before he used it.

 

Step aside everyone, we have a special force veteran posting his dribble.

31 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

So many special force veterans on board offering their imagined circumstances. Even I know that 5.56mm is standard NATO size. It is found in the IDF Tavor "Bullpup" assault rifle and the Galil automatic rifle.  It is also  used with the M4A1 Carbine. A quick look at the common weapons of the IDF shows that the Tavor and  M4A1 are common to IDF personnel.

 

It looks more like this man forgot or ignored the fact that he had his ammo in the bag. Look at the condition of the ammunition. It has not been properly stored.  This will be a shock to people who  live in nations where there is gun control, but it is a common occurrence in some countries to discover ammunition in baggage. The USA has an average of  6,500 firearm  stops in carryon baggage screening in any given year.  The TSA doesn't even bother reporting  ammunition finds because it is such a common occurrence.

 

If the man was on a mission or a smuggler, he would have not brought his ammunition in this way. It would have been obtained via diplomatic pouch or concealed in cargo. The simple explanation is most likely that he is an idiot and a slob who didn't check his back before he used it.

There is a well known phrase "ignorance of the law is no excuse" , also "stupid is as stupid does" (loved that movie) neither of these exempt people from breaking the law. Do not pass GO, straight to jail.

40 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

The simple explanation is most likely that he is an idiot and a slob who didn't check his back before he used it.

And exited Israel with it?

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

weekend plinking rounds they are.

grow some balls and shoot something decent.

 

I'm 72, was on the range shooting Bren guns , 303 Lee Enfield's at 14, by 16, using SLR's 7.62 Nato rounds, give me any weapon that fires those "plinking rounds" and you stand at 1000 yards down range, take spare under crackers with you and a coffin.

2 hours ago, RetiredNavy71 said:

What kind of idiot would do something like that?

The idiot that was busted

I bet he gets off without a jail term. The Israeli embassy will pay money and this guy will be free to go.

 

Israelis might not find love in Thai jails.

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

So many special force veterans on board offering their imagined circumstances. Even I know that 5.56mm is standard NATO size. It is found in the IDF Tavor "Bullpup" assault rifle and the Galil automatic rifle.  It is also  used with the M4A1 Carbine. A quick look at the common weapons of the IDF shows that the Tavor and  M4A1 are common to IDF personnel.

 

It looks more like this man forgot or ignored the fact that he had his ammo in the bag. Look at the condition of the ammunition. It has not been properly stored.  This will be a shock to people who  live in nations where there is gun control, but it is a common occurrence in some countries to discover ammunition in baggage. The USA has an average of  6,500 firearm  stops in carryon baggage screening in any given year.  The TSA doesn't even bother reporting  ammunition finds because it is such a common occurrence.

 

If the man was on a mission or a smuggler, he would have not brought his ammunition in this way. It would have been obtained via diplomatic pouch or concealed in cargo. The simple explanation is most likely that he is an idiot and a slob who didn't check his back before he used it.

 

It was not an innocent mistake. The police should find out his motive and investigate his associates in Thailand to find the gun owner that requested the ammunition smuggling. He and his customer should receive jail terms.

 

I would expect that Israel would not encourage theft of ammunition from its army. Perhaps he will face further problems when he returns to Israel for theft, if not for damaging Israel's reputation by committing a criminal act in a foreign country.

4 hours ago, Advocate said:

It was not an innocent mistake. The police should find out his motive and investigate his associates in Thailand to find the gun owner that requested the ammunition smuggling. He and his customer should receive jail terms.

I would expect that Israel would not encourage theft of ammunition from its army. Perhaps he will face further problems when he returns to Israel for theft, if not for damaging Israel's reputation by committing a criminal act in a foreign country.

 

Nothing  in the report supports your assumptions. You do not know that he has customers or is a smuggler. Nor is it likely that  the ammunition was stolen.

 

4 hours ago, Advocate said:

I bet he gets off without a jail term. The Israeli embassy will pay money and this guy will be free to go.

Israelis might not find love in Thai jails.

 

Your bias is showing

 

8 hours ago, stevenl said:

And exited Israel with it?

 

It is possible if the bag was not carry on. Although ammunition is supposed to be declared, it is allowed in baggage. The small number of bullets may have been missed by the screeners. It happens. The baggage screening machinery is set up to detect explosives and explosive devices.

 

8 hours ago, Des1 said:

There is a well known phrase "ignorance of the law is no excuse" , also "stupid is as stupid does" (loved that movie) neither of these exempt people from breaking the law. Do not pass GO, straight to jail.

 

I did not claim ignorance of the law was an excuse. I  only pointed out that he may not have realized  the magazine and some bullets were in the bag. As the US data shows, it is a common occurrence in the USA.

 

9 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Step aside everyone, we have a special force veteran posting his dribble.

 

What did I write that was inaccurate?

Did you look at the  bullets? They are old and dirty. Why smuggle a handful of ordinance? The  ammunition in quantity can be transported in via an overland route from Myanmar or Laos.

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Nothing  in the report supports your assumptions. You do not know that he has customers or is a smuggler. Nor is it likely that  the ammunition was stolen.

 

 

Your bias is showing

 

 

It is possible if the bag was not carry on. Although ammunition is supposed to be declared, it is allowed in baggage. The small number of bullets may have been missed by the screeners. It happens. The baggage screening machinery is set up to detect explosives and explosive devices.

 

 

I did not claim ignorance of the law was an excuse. I  only pointed out that he may not have realized  the magazine and some bullets were in the bag. As the US data shows, it is a common occurrence in the USA.

 

 

What did I write that was inaccurate?

Did you look at the  bullets? They are old and dirty. Why smuggle a handful of ordinance? The  ammunition in quantity can be transported in via an overland route from Myanmar or Laos.

 

Fact: The 26-year-old traveller had arrived from Koh Samui on a Bangkok Airways flight, and subsequent inspection confirmed the presence of a 5.56mm ammunition magazine loaded with 29 rounds.

 

 Fact: Possessing illegal ammunition in Thailand can result in severe penalties for foreigners, including imprisonment from one to ten years and/or fines of 2,000 to 20,000 Baht for unlicensed possession. Carrying ammunition without a license for the specific firearm, or possessing prohibited ammunition, can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the specific circumstances. It is also crucial to note that recent amendments to Thai law have restricted gun ownership primarily to Thai citizens.

4 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

 

Fact: The 26-year-old traveller had arrived from Koh Samui on a Bangkok Airways flight, and subsequent inspection confirmed the presence of a 5.56mm ammunition magazine loaded with 29 rounds.

 

 Fact: Possessing illegal ammunition in Thailand can result in severe penalties for foreigners, including imprisonment from one to ten years and/or fines of 2,000 to 20,000 Baht for unlicensed possession. Carrying ammunition without a license for the specific firearm, or possessing prohibited ammunition, can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the specific circumstances. It is also crucial to note that recent amendments to Thai law have restricted gun ownership primarily to Thai citizens.

 

OK,. Tell us what we do not already know. The question was asked how he managed to enter koh Samui with the ammunition. My response was that the screening did not pick it up if the original bag came as checked baggage. 

Question: How often  are your bags screened after you disembark from a domestic aircraft? I have never ever had my bags screened upon arrival on a domestic flight. Do you think something is inaccurate in the story, or is there something else to the story not mentioned?

 

Yes, penalties are severe for foreigners  caught with unauthorized weapons and ammunition. Enforcement of those penalties  on the other hand is another matter. Do you know how many foreigners are convicted  annually of these type of offences?

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

 

OK,. Tell us what we do not already know. The question was asked how he managed to enter koh Samui with the ammunition. My response was that the screening did not pick it up if the original bag came as checked baggage. 

Question: How often  are your bags screened after you disembark from a domestic aircraft? I have never ever had my bags screened upon arrival on a domestic flight. Do you think something is inaccurate in the story, or is there something else to the story not mentioned?

 

Yes, penalties are severe for foreigners  caught with unauthorized weapons and ammunition. Enforcement of those penalties  on the other hand is another matter. Do you know how many foreigners are convicted  annually of these type of offences?

 

I couldn't care less how he managed to enter Koh Samui, or if checked baggage is screened or not on domestic flights, the point is he was caught with 29 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition in a magazine, and there are set penalties for such offences.

It is not up to us how the Thai authorities proceed with this case, I'm just glad he was caught and I hope he is severely punished, and it is well reported in the Press as a warning to other Foreigners, the last thing I want to see is more guns in hands that should not have them in Thailand.

On 11/8/2025 at 11:58 AM, Ralf001 said:

.223 is hardly serious ammo... more for casual target plinking.

  The AR-15     chambers a 5.56  Nato version  /  .223 (civilian version ) and will ..  well you know . 

 

 

 

On 11/8/2025 at 10:44 AM, Des1 said:

I just cannot accept it as a packaging error. This is serious and should be treated as such. Jail time.

 

Why not ? - Complacency is the most obvious answer and we already have one poster admitting to making a similar mistake in the US.

 

I've accidentally travelled with a penknife in my hand-luggage - I didn't notice until arriving at my destination - security at two airports missed it (ok - hardly a gun, nevertheless, things slip through security all the time).

 

The simple answer here - the mag was at the bottom of his luggage and he missed it - thats all - a very silly mistake and one which is more common than we realise. 

 

There was a fairly recent story of a former Thai Police Chief doing the same thing travelling to Japan, instead up just ammo, he forgot he had loaded handgun in his bag.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/601232/ex-bangkok-police-chief-caught-with-gun-at-narita-airport?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

The same with a US Senator travelling to HK.

https://apnews.com/article/washington-senator-wilson-hong-kong-arrest-1d420cf35444b1e7c9673b28d7b8b0e3

 

 

... it happens... 

 

 

What an idiot.  Enjoy prison. 

On 11/7/2025 at 4:30 PM, snoop1130 said:

The 26-year-old traveller had arrived from Koh Samui on a Bangkok Airways flight, and subsequent inspection confirmed the presence of a 5.56mm ammunition magazine loaded with 29 rounds.

What I find more concerning is that the airport of departure obviously didn't x-ray screen the check-in baggage. 

On 11/8/2025 at 11:51 AM, Xonax said:

That's some serious ammo. Maybe for self defence after all the bad publicity.

 

Standard NATO round.

On 11/8/2025 at 1:55 PM, bogozy said:

In Israel carry a weapon, and ammunition is not rare. 

Neither is it in America, but it's not an excuse.  

21 hours ago, Advocate said:

I bet he gets off without a jail term. The Israeli embassy will pay money and this guy will be free to go.

 

Israelis might not find love in Thai jails.

Yep!

On 11/8/2025 at 2:19 PM, RetiredNavy71 said:

What kind of idiot would do something like that?

Phuket airport well known for planting ammo in departing foreigners bags.

On 11/7/2025 at 5:17 PM, Jingthing said:

Obviously massively stupid if just a packing mistake, but as the article indicates his intentions matter, and as yet they are unknown. 

more than stupid, even if it is, as you say, a packing mistake.

It raises the question why does he have a magazine that holds 29+ rounds in thailand in the first place? 

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Why not ? - Complacency is the most obvious answer and we already have one poster admitting to making a similar mistake in the US.

 

I've accidentally travelled with a penknife in my hand-luggage - I didn't notice until arriving at my destination - security at two airports missed it (ok - hardly a gun, nevertheless, things slip through security all the time).

 

The simple answer here - the mag was at the bottom of his luggage and he missed it - thats all - a very silly mistake and one which is more common than we realise. 

 

There was a fairly recent story of a former Thai Police Chief doing the same thing travelling to Japan, instead up just ammo, he forgot he had loaded handgun in his bag.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/601232/ex-bangkok-police-chief-caught-with-gun-at-narita-airport?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

The same with a US Senator travelling to HK.

https://apnews.com/article/washington-senator-wilson-hong-kong-arrest-1d420cf35444b1e7c9673b28d7b8b0e3

 

 

... it happens... 

 

 

Should it happen in a country where a foreigner legally owning an automatic weapon that can hold 29 rounds is highly unlikely?

<deleted> happens is, as you say, accidentally carrying a pen knife or even hiding your bag of coke in your passport.

 

a 30 round magazine is a bit tough to overlook

26 minutes ago, w00n s3n said:

Should it happen in a country where a foreigner legally owning an automatic weapon that can hold 29 rounds is highly unlikely?

<deleted> happens is, as you say, accidentally carrying a pen knife or even hiding your bag of coke in your passport.

 

a 30 round magazine is a bit tough to overlook

 

That depends...  completely stupid yes !!... But I showed examples of how two senior figures managed to do exactly the same thing.

 

If someone is living in an environment where guns are the norm - then its not inconceivable that they throw their clothes in a bag and miss the mag in the bottom -  I think this is a case of what happened here. 

 

Most Israelis grow up and carry out national service,  the standard issue weapon is the Standard infantry rifle: IWI Tavor family (X95 / TAR variants) which uses 5.56×45mm NATO rounds.

 

Thus - its entirely conceivable that someone simply inattentive enough to make a dumb mistake and leave a mag in their bag before travelling to from Israel to Koh Samui - its also perfectly conceivable that security missed it a couple of times.

 

 

Not the first one. A load were kicked out just prior to Covid for shooting guns on the beach past Deva Samui one Sunday morning. They then posted a video on Youtube of themselves doing it, and that's how they were caught.  

1 minute ago, phetphet said:

Not the first one. A load were kicked out just prior to Covid for shooting guns on the beach past Deva Samui one Sunday morning. They then posted a video on Youtube of themselves doing it, and that's how they were caught.  

 

    Were they shooting innocent woman and children waiting in breadlines ?

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

 

    Were they shooting innocent woman and children waiting in breadlines ?

 

Nah, just celebrating the ones they had got before they came to Thailand.