DSI Seizes Huge Cache Of Smuggled Arms In Surin

[webfact]

DSI seizes huge cache of smuggled arms in Surin

BANGKOK, Feb 23 -- The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and security agencies have seized a large number of smuggled arms hidden in the northeastern province of Surin but say the munitions were not related to the bomb incidents in Bangkok on February 14.

In a joint news conference of DSI, Royal Thai Army, and Border Patrol Police Bureau at DSI headquarters, along with a display of some of the seized heavy weapons, DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit told reporters that the munitions were found hidden in a bush near a commercial building in Prasat district of Surin.

According to intelligence reports, they belonged to two groups of influential Thai figures and could possibly be used to stage unrest or be smuggled out of the country.

Among the seized munitions were 36 grenades for rocket-propelled grenade (RPG-7); 64 grenades of 60mm mortar shells, 144 rounds of M79 and M203 grenades and 1,437 rounds of rifle ammunition.

Mr Tharit said that security officials found the ammunition as they were about to be delivered. The transfer was aborted due to pressure by the security agencies.

However, the director-general said that the route and origin of the ammunition could not be revealed as authorities were investigating for more information and seeking to arrest people involved in the ring. Names of the influential figures also could not be made public.

The ammunition seized was believed to be used to foment violent unrest or in preparation to smuggling out of the country, he said. The investigation would focus on wide range of issues including the possibility that the ammunition could be used by drug trafficking syndicates, terrorist groups or for southern unrest.

The DSI chief stressed that the ammunition was not related to the three bomb blasts in Sukhumvit 71 on February 14. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-02-23

[thequietman]

"Mr Tharit said that security officials found the ammunition as they were about to be delivered. The transfer was aborted due to pressure by the security agencies"

can we assume by this comment that someone turned up to pick up the weapons but weren,t detained.

god forbid if they arrested someone, interrogated them and they revealed the destination and owners of said armaments. that would be proper detective work and is surely frowned upon in the land of lies.

[swillowbee]

... the Royal Thai Police are sitting on top of an illegal arms sale ... heavy weapons, including RPG's ... the buyers were not apprehended.

... a fine example of Royal Thai Police effectiveness ... is there any wonder Thailand is fast gaining popular attention as "Terrorist Hub"?

[Buchholz]

a rather large array of weaponry

Daily News (article in Thai)

http://www.dailynews.co.th/crime/14081

Who are the OP's "influential Thai figures" in Surin?

.

[airconsult]

RPG-7s? Maybe for the south?

I don't know how effective it would be on the Army's blimp (if it flies yet), but it would certainly put a big dent in the 2 new blackhawks being purchased....

I suspect they being being onward-shipped to somewhere else......

[airconsult]

a rather large array of weaponry

Daily News (article in Thai)

http://www.dailynews.co.th/crime/14081

Who are the OP's "influential Thai figures" in Surin?

.

Unknown, but during the Vietnam/Cambodia war, I read that certain senior Thai officers were making a bundle buying from China and selling to Pol Pot.

Maybe they've branched out?

[AleG]

Good, with any luck we'll have less fireworks this Songhkran.

[Buchholz]

RPG-7s? Maybe for the south?

I don't know how effective it would be on the Army's blimp (if it flies yet), but it would certainly put a big dent in the 2 new blackhawks being purchased....

I suspect they being being onward-shipped to somewhere else......

As the same DSI found out earlier, there's a market for domestic use of RPG's...

Additional background information on the RPG attack and its motivations...

"The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) announced on Friday night that it has arrested an ex-policeman and another suspect who allegedly confessed that they were hired to attack the Temple of the Emerald Buddha with RPG rockets.

DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said former Pol Lance Corporal Bandit Sitthitum, 43, and Supanat Ui-yawet, 43, were paid 500,000 baht by Pol Lt Col Supachai Tuikaewkam, whose wife, Juriporn Sintuprai, is a Red-Shirt Leader from Pattaya.

The incident took place on March 30, and it was understood at the time that the target of the planned attack was the Defence Ministry, a short distance from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bandit and his accomplice allegedly fired the RPG rocket from a side street across a small canal at the back of the Ministry's building, but the attack failed after the rocket got caught in power lines and fell short.

Mr Tharit claimed Pol Lance Corporal Bandit had confessed that the real target of the planned attack was the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in order to create panic and chaos because the temple is a national symbol revered by all Thais."

[OzMick]

It's no good having a private militia without weapons. And they seem to be the weapons of choice of a familiar organization.

I wonder if the buyer had a certain Police General's card in his wallet.

[pimay11]

It's no good having a private militia without weapons. And they seem to be the weapons of choice of a familiar organization.

I wonder if the buyer had a certain Police General's card in his wallet.

"Names of the influential figures also could not be made public". Thailand at its best. Money talks and BS walks.

[MEL1]

I didn't know the red-shirts were planning another rally to BKK.

Pretty heavy defences they're gathering to suppress any risk of a coup, if you ask me.

-mel.

[Yme]

How convenient. Nice shiny new munitions found in a red-shirt area and nameless influencial figures -- no one needs any more proof of what a dangerous threat those red-shirt people are. Miracle Thailand

[chrisinth]

"However, the director-general said that the route and origin of the ammunition could not be revealed as authorities were investigating for more information and seeking to arrest people involved in the ring. Names of the influential figures also could not be made public."

Why therefore make it public knowledge in the first place before investigations have been concluded?

[DP25]

Fun times ahead, the anti Thaksin protests this year are sure to be a blast

[redroo]

I see no weapons in these pictures.

Its all ammo for weapons.

what i see is ;

.50 cal heavy machine gun rounds

thumper grenade rounds for rifle grenade launcher (ak47) - (m16) - M79 thumper

RPG-7 grenade's with rocket propellents

Mortar grenade rounds

this is the fuel for the weapons

where are the weapons?