Thai Police searching for firearms 'looted' by protesters

[webfact]

Police Searching For Firearms 'Looted' By Protesters
By Khaosod English


Anti-government protesters vandalising a police vehicle near Thai-Japan Stadium, 26 December 2013

BANGKOK: -- The police have pleaded for information concerning 27 firearms allegedly looted by anti-government protesters during a deadly clash last month.

According to the Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), these weapons were looted from police vehicles parked around Thai-Japan Stadium on 26 December, where the protesters led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) attempted to storm the election registration venue held inside the Stadium.

The confrontation escalated into violent clashes in which one police officer and one anti-government protester were shot dead. The police claimed that their vehicles and equipment storage had been ransacked by the protesters.

Among the 27 firearms reportedly looted by the protesters, 21 of them are state-issued weapons while 6 others are personal belongings of the officers, CAPO′s Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon Pisutthiwong said in a press conference.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon added that the stolen firearms include 6 shotguns which were used by riot police to fire rubber bullets, but they could also be used to fire fatal shotgun rounds. 12 tear gas launchers and three .38 handguns are also missing, Pol.Lt. Gen. Sophon.

Officers′ personal sidearms allegedly stolen by protesters are two 9 mm. handgun, one .380 handgun, two .45 handgun, and one air pistol, said Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon, adding that one of the handguns had been recovered following an arrest of an anti-government protester in Bangkok′s Bang Plad district on 2 January.

Furthermore, the officer said, investigation of bullet holes and ammunition rounds found in the 26 December clashes reveals that the gunfire which attacked the police came from the direction outside the Stadium′s perimeter and not the police position.

16 firearms were involved in these shootings, Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon asserted, warning that the mysterious assailants′ arsenal would have been supplemented by an addition of the looted 27 firearms.

"Please think about the possible violence," said Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon.

He added, "Let me remind the people that the light we want to see in Thai society must be neither the flame at the funeral pyre for the protesters nor fire at the cremation of the laws enforcement agents. Please stop or lessen the violence that could happen".

Due to the fears that these looted weapons could be smuggled into protest sites by third-hand individuals, the police would have to set up strict checkpoints to search for firearms or any explosive devices around the rallies, according to Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon.

"It is necessary that we search some vehicles. We apologise for the inconvenience," said Pol.Lt.Gen. Sophon, adding that the public are encouraged to report to the police immediately if they find the reported stolen firearms.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE9USTJOVEUzTWc9PQ==


-- Khaosod English 2014-01-10

[webfact]

Stolen guns may be used to instigate violence

BANGKOK: -- There is growing concern among the police that the guns stolen during clashes between anti-riot police and anti-government protesters at Din Daeng Thai-Japan youth center on December 26 might be used to instigate violence during the January 13 Bangkok Shutdown protests.

Pol Lt-Col haiporn Booncharoen, deputy inspector of Bangsao Thong police station said he lost his service pistol when his police vehicle parked near the clash scene was smashed and all property inside stolen.

He said when he returned to his police car after the protest died down he found the car windshields were smashed and everything inside which included crowd control gear, shoes, pillows, mosquito nets and most importantly a 9 mm personal handgun which was placed in the locked glove compartment were all stolen.

He said the police had been ordered to not bear any arms during the security detail at the Youth Center therefore their side arms were removed and locked away in the vehicles.

According to the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order, a total of 27 service fire arms consisting of three .38 handguns, six shot guns, 12 teargas guns and six personal handguns were taken from the police vehicles.

Pol Lt-Gen Sophon Pisutwong, deputy commissioner of the National Police Office, said the stolen guns could be used to instigate violence in an already volatile situation during the planned Shut Down on 13 January which may lead to loss of life and injuries.

Riot control officers will not use any violence against protestors nor will they bear any arms. All they will have are the shields, batons and helmets, he said.

He said seven days after the incident, police were able to arrest Mr Sura Chawanet for possession of a 9 mm pistol with 39 bullets which belonged to a police officer assigned to the youth center.

The suspect claimed to be a volunteer guard with the protestors, stating that a fellow volunteer guard had handed him a bag bearing the handgun and bullets for safe keeping.

But he said what was most worrying is that another 26 fire arms are still missing and could be used to instigate violence at the upcoming Shut Down.

He assured riot control officers will not use any violence against protestors nor will they bear any arms. All they will have are the shields, batons and helmets.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/stolen-guns-may-used-instigate-violence/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-10

[edwinchester]

'......which was placed in the locked glove compartment....'

And we all know how secure these are. Maybe the police should take a long hard look at their own responsibilities as far as firearm security goes.

[jaltsc]

"Pol Lt-Col haiporn Booncharoen, deputy inspector of Bangsao Thong police station said he lost his service pistol when his police vehicle parked near the clash scene was smashed and all property inside stolen...a total of 27 service fire arms consisting of three .38 handguns, six shot guns, 12 teargas guns and six personal handguns were taken from the police vehicles."

That should make the pubic feel more secure. If the police can't protect their own property, how can one expect them to protect the property of private citizens?

[patjem]

6 'personal' weapons belonging to police officers? What were officers doing carrying non-issued weapons? What was the intention if carrying weapons that were not issued to them?

[Hawk]

I have no sympathy for obvious police incompetence. Weapons left in unattended vehicles, arrogant stupidity.

[GentlemanJim]

Those responsible for the security of the fire arms should be sacked on the spot. They have now created a very unsafe situation for the public. That said I do not believe for one second that the van was looted by protestors nor were the weapons taken by protestors, they are firmly in the hands of police or hired henchmen who will instigate violence and killings.

Eee by gum, in the good old days of Ghenkis Khan an official or soldier was boiled alive for losing his weapon, things aren't what they used to be, we need to get back to some good old fashioned standards.

[seajae]

weapons when not in use are supposed to be locked in a gun locker in a secure location along with ammunition, not a glove box , whats even stranger is that there were no reports of this until yesterday (apart from the idiot captains)when police claimed that their would be violence at the protests. Sounds very much like the police are trying to set someone up now, they just didnt realize how stupid they look by what they are claiming. Also since when has bringing privately owned guns to work to use been legal, do the boys want to do a dirty harry and have their magnums, "the most powerful handgun" in their holsters so they look "mean", what a laugh.....

[noitom]

They seem to be trying to pin every negative thing on the protesters. It would be nice to know how many illegal arms smuggling has been done buy Thai police and military for side money.

[Emptyset]

6 'personal' weapons belonging to police officers? What were officers doing carrying non-issued weapons? What was the intention if carrying weapons that were not issued to them?

You did read the part in the article where it says that they were looted from the police vehicles, right?

[Robby nz]

So far the only firearms found at the rally sites have been found by the guards in the hands of police, supposedly off duty, with the last one on drugs.

[Emptyset]

weapons when not in use are supposed to be locked in a gun locker in a secure location along with ammunition, not a glove box , whats even stranger is that there were no reports of this until yesterday (apart from the idiot captains)when police claimed that their would be violence at the protests. Sounds very much like the police are trying to set someone up now, they just didnt realize how stupid they look by what they are claiming. Also since when has bringing privately owned guns to work to use been legal, do the boys want to do a dirty harry and have their magnums, "the most powerful handgun" in their holsters so they look "mean", what a laugh.....

The looting was reported at the time of the incident and captured on video. The first I saw it mentioned that guns had gone missing was during the arrest of the alleged volunteer guard a few days ago. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if they'd left a few hand guns in there. There were definitely shot guns in the vans.

Police don't have a standard issue gun btw. They usually get .38s at a discount, but they're allowed to use anything they want if they buy it themselves. It's up to the individual officer. Glocks and 1911A1 style 45s are most common.

[MickGC]

6 'personal' weapons belonging to police officers? What were officers doing carrying non-issued weapons? What was the intention if carrying weapons that were not issued to them?

Thai Police are permitted to purchase their own sidearms. Nothing unusual there.

Beat me to it Empty

Edited January 10, 2014 by MickGC

[Baerboxer]

Hmmmm.

So now, everyone has the idea that the protesters have armed themselves with weapons looted from the RTP.

How convenient if violence breaks out and people wonder where the protesters managed to get weapons.

Of course, integrity and reporting the correct facts are normally associated with the RTP.

[hansnl]

One might presume the anti-government crowd is feeling the need to arm itself, seeing the threatening sounds and ideas of "kill & burn" uttered by the pro-government crowd, not in the least lessened by the last crowd's exploits in the former show.

One might get the idea that like in the last show arms bearing persons were not very much opposed to the loss of arms.

Including an air pistol?

Oh well, what's next?

[Baerboxer]

weapons when not in use are supposed to be locked in a gun locker in a secure location along with ammunition, not a glove box , whats even stranger is that there were no reports of this until yesterday (apart from the idiot captains)when police claimed that their would be violence at the protests. Sounds very much like the police are trying to set someone up now, they just didnt realize how stupid they look by what they are claiming. Also since when has bringing privately owned guns to work to use been legal, do the boys want to do a dirty harry and have their magnums, "the most powerful handgun" in their holsters so they look "mean", what a laugh.....

The looting was reported at the time of the incident and captured on video. The first I saw it mentioned that guns had gone missing was during the arrest of the alleged volunteer guard a few days ago. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if they'd left a few hand guns in there. There were definitely shot guns in the vans.

Police don't have a standard issue gun btw. They usually get .38s at a discount, but they're allowed to use anything they want if they buy it themselves. It's up to the individual officer. Glocks and 1911A1 style 45s are most common.

Senior police officers I know sell guns to the new recruits as a side line. But, they can buy from anywhere. I've seen a real mix of revolvers and automatics of various makes and calibres.

Where do you get the information from that Glocks and 1911 45's are most common?

Senior officers had stated publicly that live ammunition would not be carried. In these circumstances why would so many weapons and amounts of ammunition be there?

Edited January 10, 2014 by Baerboxer

[slapout]

The fear that the stolen weapons may be used to incit violence (3 issued handguns) and then the shotguns, tear gas guns,and personal firearms.is another 'What if' thought.

Personally I feel much safer just knowing, this so called arsnel has been taken out of the hands/control of the RTP. Where did the other hundreds of police on riot contol duty leave their issued handguns??? and their personal weapons? (I was not aware the RTP issued sidearms nor motorcycles to the troops). I have heard no complaints about the loss of motorcycles

Sounds like the pol Lt Col should be assigned to perment laterine orderly. His BS wiould not be noticed due to the lingering smell sourrounding his new position.

[TomTao]

Why has it taken so long for the police to say anything about the missing firearms? I am suspicious about this announcement by the police and I have to wonder about the delay in announcing the alleged theft, it may be due to an ongoing investigation, or it may be because they wanted to fabricate the story in order to cast a bad light on the protestors, but if there is actually video evidence of individuals involved in the protest action taking the weapons from the vehicle, then act on it, make some arrests and find out if the weapons were given to a third party. There are all sorts of senarios that come to mind about possible outside infiltrators, police dressed as protestors or anarchists within the protest group, any of which could have commited the alleged crime.

[hansnl]

6 'personal' weapons belonging to police officers? What were officers doing carrying non-issued weapons? What was the intention if carrying weapons that were not issued to them?

Thai Police are permitted to purchase their own sidearms. Nothing unusual there.

Beat me to it Empty

Correction:

Members of the RTP are "permitted" to buy their sidearms?

No way!

They are obliged to buy them, there is no issuing of pistols or revolvers by the state.

Any gunshop have pistols and revolvers for sale classified as private sales or classified as articles to be sold to government officers.

The latter are cheaper (less tax), and also a government loan is available, repayable through salary deductions.

"Group weapons", like riot guns or guns firing gas, sometimes but not always, are issued by the government.

However, many policemen have personal scatterguns, or .22 backup sidearms, bought and paid for by themselves.

[tgeezer]

'......which was placed in the locked glove compartment....'

And we all know how secure these are. Maybe the police should take a long hard look at their own responsibilities as far as firearm security goes.

I agree entirely. What is the point of arming police. Is it a police state which expects people to obey the law, these people should have been prevented from stealing anything especially firearms which it must be assumed they intend to use, one shot in the ass would have solved this problem.

[Regyai]

A cynic might be forgiven for thinking that 'all bases are covered' - no matter what type of police weapon subsequently injures anyone, it was of course one stolen here by miscreants.

.

[bunny11kk]

Their BS lies are just getting more ridiculous as time goes by. Why don't they stock up their firearms at Toy Round US so that the protesters can simply go to buy it?

[socksy01]

This is absolutely beyond belief. So now more gungho <deleted> are in possession of guns <deleted>

[silent]

weapons when not in use are supposed to be locked in a gun locker in a secure location along with ammunition, not a glove box , whats even stranger is that there were no reports of this until yesterday (apart from the idiot captains)when police claimed that their would be violence at the protests. Sounds very much like the police are trying to set someone up now, they just didnt realize how stupid they look by what they are claiming. Also since when has bringing privately owned guns to work to use been legal, do the boys want to do a dirty harry and have their magnums, "the most powerful handgun" in their holsters so they look "mean", what a laugh.....

The looting was reported at the time of the incident and captured on video. The first I saw it mentioned that guns had gone missing was during the arrest of the alleged volunteer guard a few days ago. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if they'd left a few hand guns in there. There were definitely shot guns in the vans.

Police don't have a standard issue gun btw. They usually get .38s at a discount, but they're allowed to use anything they want if they buy it themselves. It's up to the individual officer. Glocks and 1911A1 style 45s are most common.

First question, are they required to record serial numbers of personally acquired weapons, if otherwise for nothing more sinister the person could be liable for negligence should said weapon, or weapons, turn up used in the commission of a crime?

Just wondering why the delay, or the public reporting of what in most countries would dealt with internally to avoid disgracing this more than normal TRANSPARENT Police Service.

Edited January 10, 2014 by silent

[rametindallas]

weapons when not in use are supposed to be locked in a gun locker in a secure location along with ammunition, not a glove box , whats even stranger is that there were no reports of this until yesterday (apart from the idiot captains)when police claimed that their would be violence at the protests. Sounds very much like the police are trying to set someone up now, they just didnt realize how stupid they look by what they are claiming. Also since when has bringing privately owned guns to work to use been legal, do the boys want to do a dirty harry and have their magnums, "the most powerful handgun" in their holsters so they look "mean", what a laugh.....

It is common for corrupt police in the U.S. to carry what they call a 'drop' gun; one that they can use that won't be traced back to their 'service' gun. They are also used to 'plant' on individuals to 'prove ' they were armed when they were killed/murdered.

[Emptyset]

Hmmmm.

So now, everyone has the idea that the protesters have armed themselves with weapons looted from the RTP.

How convenient if violence breaks out and people wonder where the protesters managed to get weapons.

Of course, integrity and reporting the correct facts are normally associated with the RTP.

Pretty sure they had guns before anyway. At least there were rounds coming from direction of protesters towards the police in the morning before they'd looted anything.

[Maha Sarakham Marty]

I have no sympathy for obvious police incompetence. Weapons left in unattended vehicles, arrogant stupidity.

Agreed.

It's a free for all now for anyone, connected to the protests or not, to raid police vehicles knowing that weapons are kept in glove boxes.

Of course that's presuming the police reports are even true.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Maha Sarakham Marty

[Emptyset]

6 'personal' weapons belonging to police officers? What were officers doing carrying non-issued weapons? What was the intention if carrying weapons that were not issued to them?

Thai Police are permitted to purchase their own sidearms. Nothing unusual there.

Beat me to it Empty

Yeah, I didn't actually know this until after the Thai-Japanese stadium incident. I also thought they had a standard issue gun, but asked a guy who'd know, and what I wrote is what he told me. The police say 16 weapons were used (based on bullet types & casings found), and if you think police might all carry different guns (because some of the shooting was almost certainly coming from the police side), and that technical school students often favour those makeshift single shot guns, perhaps it's not such a huge number after all.

[rametindallas]

The credibility of RTP spokespersons, government spokespersons, and any politician or police commander could hardy be less than it is now. I do not take seriously any statement by the above group

[rickirs]

I have no sympathy for obvious police incompetence. Weapons left in unattended vehicles, arrogant stupidity.

On the other hand we should have sympathy to those intended victims of these stolen firearms. I don't think the thieves intend to export them. We may know by the end of next week whether some of these weapons show up in the demonstrations. Police need to be more diligent about securing their firearms, they are not toys.