Weapons caches seized in Chon Buri, Songkhla

[Lite Beer]

Weapons caches seized in Chon Buri, Songkhla

CHON BURI: A large quantity of M67 hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenade (RPGs) rounds was found hidden in a grove of banana trees in Muang district of Chon Buri province this morning (June 2).

Police said the stash comprised 180 M67 hand grenades in six wooden crates and 27 RPG rounds. All were new and in good condition.

The explosives were found by residents who were gathering banana flowers for food on a 30-square wah section of land. They called police and a team of soldiers and police were dispatched to investigate.

Col Kom Viriyavejkij, commander of the Chon Buri-based 14th Army Area, said the seized explosives were moved to the ordnance depot of the 14th Army Area for further examination and investigation to establish their origin.

He believed the RPG rounds and hand grenades were hidden recently by people afraid of being caught in possession of them during the current strict suppression of war weapons now under way because of martial law.

In souther Songkhla province, two brothers were arrested after police found a number of weapons in their possession.

A joint raid by police, troops and and administrative officials led by Pol Col Nipon Hemsalamad, the Singha Nakhon police chief, conducted a search in a house in Singha Nakhon district this morning.

After the raid, police said they found and seized an M16 rifle with 73 rounds of ammunition, a 9mm pistol with 28 rounds, an M26 hand grenade and two methamphetamine pills.

Adilok Srimanee, 30, and his brother Aroon, 29, were arrested and charged with possession of unlicensed weapons and illicit drugs.

-- Phuket News 2014-06-02

[IamNoone88]

Good work. That is a lot munition off the streets. Lets hope they can find the source and close it off, permanently.

[EricBerg]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

[wealth]

there must be still more burried out there ...

anYway, this was a good find ... "THANK YOU TO WHOEVER CONTRIBUTED TO THE SEIZING OF THESE WEAPONS"

it's getting more and more narrow for the terrorists ...

Edited June 2, 2014 by wealth

[Barney R]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

100% agree at this stage I think the military are doing a great job . Even my wife and her extended family whom come from the middle of Issan where her village is staunch red shirt agrees with what the army is trying to archive .

[Bocking]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

100% agree at this stage I think the military are doing a great job . Even my wife and her extended family whom come from the middle of Issan where her village is staunch red shirt agrees with what the army is trying to archive .

Similar experience here. My extended family (Issan) have been firm supporters of TRT through to PTP, but from February 2014 they decided not to vote. At the time, they came under local pressure to continue their vocal and electoral support for PTP and UDD and not to join protests for rice payment. However, it now appears that their views are becoming the majority in the community.

[djjamie]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

100% agree at this stage I think the military are doing a great job . Even my wife and her extended family whom come from the middle of Issan where her village is staunch red shirt agrees with what the army is trying to archive .

Agreed. I am from Khon Kaen and the extended family are from Kalasin. They love the military take over and can see the sincerity in their actions. A refreshing change from the last 3 years.

The majority love it, yet some minority entities don't.

Irrespective of whether they are PDRC weapons or red shirt weapons or 3rd hand weapons. They are less weapons on the street killing people and there are families with kids, parents, cousins, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts that thank the General for this.

I for one thank them. One of those weapons could have harmed my family.

Thank you General for keeping us safe from the terrorists no matter what persuasion the terrorists are.

<EDIT? This gets added to Schindler's List for future reference Fab4!!!!

Edited June 2, 2014 by djjamie

[than]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

100% agree at this stage I think the military are doing a great job . Even my wife and her extended family whom come from the middle of Issan where her village is staunch red shirt agrees with what the army is trying to archive .

Similar experience here. My extended family (Issan) have been firm supporters of TRT through to PTP, but from February 2014 they decided not to vote. At the time, they came under local pressure to continue their vocal and electoral support for PTP and UDD and not to join protests for rice payment. However, it now appears that their views are becoming the majority in the community.

That is the real end of PT/UDD dictatorship ? I hope so.......

[rametindallas]

You do know this is just the tip of the iceberg. Just like the fact that police intercept only a small fraction of illegal drugs, there are vast quantities of war weapons stashed all over the country. Those six thousand M-16 rifles, stolen from an army depot in 2010, have never surfaced. Also, in 2010, a factory turning out launchers for the M-79 grenade was shut down and you have to believe that it reopened in another location. People who keep these type of weapons are not 'nice' and someday may get orders to use them. The danger is a long way from being past. Be vigilant.

[Morch]

Well, there are also no mass demonstrations, so no one to shoot at.

It is indeed good that they are able to confiscate weapons and ammunition, good for the country in general,

not necessarily just political related. Same weapons used against demonstrators yesterday can be used to settle

a business dispute tomorrow.

Could have missed it in all the coup commotion - was there any attempt on the Army's side to check weapons of PDRC guards?

After all, there was some pretty clear evidence that they had some they shouldn't (like Mr. Popcorn - where is he, btw?).

[surangw]

could it be the same lot "seized? more than once to make it look good in the news?

[Tokay]

Any IDs found?

I find it amazing that suddenly weapons are being found all over the country. What in the hell have the army and police been doing all this time?

[marstons]

And of course all this good news that is coming out is 100% true. Can this really be the same army that's has tried and failed to bring peace to the South. 2 weeks in to a 15 month stint long way to go and a lot of preparation over the years yet to show its self. Still plenty of press censorship and arrests so only good news coming out.

p.s the Amy just announced the tooth fairy does exist better belief it, must be true.

[nottocus]

Good work army in trying to bring order to a failing state.

[GeorgeO]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

100% agree at this stage I think the military are doing a great job . Even my wife and her extended family whom come from the middle of Issan where her village is staunch red shirt agrees with what the army is trying to archive .

Similar experience here. My extended family (Issan) have been firm supporters of TRT through to PTP, but from February 2014 they decided not to vote. At the time, they came under local pressure to continue their vocal and electoral support for PTP and UDD and not to join protests for rice payment. However, it now appears that their views are becoming the majority in the community.

That is the real end of PT/UDD dictatorship ? I hope so.......

And only just in time...!

The true feelings and voices of up-country people were being stifled, and the extremists were becoming ever bolder. Regardless of all the 'anti-democracy' rhetoric spouted by fab4, Prbkk, moonao, Fryslan (Robert) and all the rest of them, had the Army not intervened when it did, Thailand would have been heading towards a true dictatorship.

With the farmers now able to pay for the means to continue growing their crops, Gen. Prayuth and his deputies are looking at every sector of the economy to see what needs to be done to get Thailand out of the mire that Thaksin and his faithful followers have created.

Good luck to Gen Prayuth, and to Thailand...!!

[webfact]

ARMS SMUGGLING

Large number of arms found in coordinated crackdowns

The Nation

Some 27 rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, were found abandoned in Chon Buri yesterday along with five boxes of ammunition for unspecified firearms behind a school in Muang district. Police say they may have been discarded by people who feared being caught

BANGKOK: -- More than 3,000 people were rounded up and a large number of heavy weapons seized under a coordinated crackdown in provinces under the jurisdiction of Provincial Police Region 4. The raids began last Wednesday and wrapped up on Sunday.

Separately, police also found a cache of heavy weapons abandoned in Chon Buri province and some ammunition dumped in a wastewater pipe in Nonthaburi. Police believe these munitions were abandoned because people feared harsh punishment under martial law.

Pol Lt General Detnarong Suthichanbancha of Provincial Police Region 4 said the 279 teams led intelligence and sting operations before laying siege to 500 areas and 2,700 illegal entertainment venues. Some 3,413 suspects were rounded up and slapped with charges ranging from gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution and the illegal possession of arms.

Of those arrested, 382 were charged with illegally possessing arms - 407 guns, 1,028 bullets and seven grenades were seized from them.

In Sakon Nakhon province, a large arms factory was raided, while in border provinces such as Mukdahan, Bueng Kan and Nong Khai province, police found a large number of motorcycle parts believed to have been stolen or exchanged for drugs. This was in addition to the guns, ammunitions and narcotics found.

Detnarong said results of the operation were satisfactory, adding that it should help cut down on crime, and ensure peace and order.

Meanwhile, the cache found in Chon Buri included 27 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and five boxes of ammunitions for unspecified weapons abandoned near a fence opposite a house that had been rented out.

Caretaker commissioner of Provincial Police Region 2 Pol Maj-General Sanit Mahataworn said owners of these discarded weapons would face a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison under martial law.

He said he would instruct officers under his jurisdiction to launch public campaigns to encourage people who possess weapons to hand them in to arms registrars or face harsh penalties.

In Nonthaburi's Muang district, police found 30 11mm bullets and a cartridge of 11mm bullets abandoned in a wastewater pipe opposite a condominium building.

-- The Nation 2014-06-03

[NongKhaiKid]

Since the military took over there have been no more killings or injured from bombings and shootings. With all the weapons being seized it looks like more bombings and shootings will more and more difficult for the bad guys. Hope this will have a snowball effect, so the country will remain a safer place when the curfew will be lifted

A key phrase you have used is " since the military took over " and it says so much.

It's hard to imagine that info regarding all recent weapon seizures has suddenly come to hand which suggests that someone has been sitting on it and in respect of tips being given there is more trust in the authorities these days compared to when the BIB were supposedly running the show.

[chooka]

Big crackdown around Bangkok. Raiding Bars/Entertainment venues and actually charging people with prostitution. The Military are serious and will have a few bars girls looking for cover.

[Thait Spot]

You'd have to assume that the bulk of the information coming to light is from the police who have had a lot of political influence from above removed unceremoniously.

Roll on June 10th when the arms amnesty ends and 20 year prison terms come into effect.

I would hope they would do the same with drugs soon after.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Seastallion]

Any IDs found?

I find it amazing that suddenly weapons are being found all over the country. What in the hell have the army and police been doing all this time?

Have you not been following the news over the last 6 years and especially the last 3 weeks? The police are no longer in charge to turn their blind, sympathetic and corrupt eye away from the people amassing these weapons.

It is the army doing things right, now.

[Pimay1]

Pol Lt General Detnarong Suthichanbancha of Provincial Police Region 4 said the 279 teams led intelligence and sting operations before laying siege to 500 areas and 2,700 illegal entertainment venues. Some 3,413 suspects were rounded up and slapped with charges ranging from gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution and the illegal possession of arms.

This kind of sting operation requires an extensive amount of intelligence gathering which can’t be done from a cold start in the seven days between May 22^nd and May 28^th when the raid began. In my opinion, and I know the saying, one or more law enforcement agencies were privy to most if not all the intel prior to May 22^nd. Read into that what you wish. I believe there was a “come to Jesus” meeting so to speak between the top army brass and the relevant law enforcement agencies whereby the handwriting on the wall was explained in no uncertain terms.

I live out in the sticks in Isaan about half way between Kalasin and Mukdahan. Last week army personnel accompanied by the police visited every local village. They held meetings with the Kamnans and interviewed local red shirt leaders. An announcement was made if anyone had war weapons they should turn them in and no questions would be asked.

Say what you will about General Prayuth but he has my full support as long as he follows the current path of bringing Thailand out of the quagmire of lawlessness and corruption.

[Thailand]

I can understand that the majority of people are happy with the current situation and that relative peace has come to the country.

They are happy that the Thaksin influence is being systematically removed.

Those of you that have Thai families that previously voted for PTP or whoever they were, I 'll bet they will not vote Democrat whenever the next election may be unless the reeducation centers do an exceptional job?

Anyway, relative peace in some parts of the country at the expense of those freedoms you lose under a military dictatorship.

Be happy in your work.

[ggt]

Military has the best chance of bringing healing to this country...glad they finally took control of the madness...

[robblok]

never mind

Edited June 3, 2014 by robblok

[robblok]

I can understand that the majority of people are happy with the current situation and that relative peace has come to the country.

They are happy that the Thaksin influence is being systematically removed.

Those of you that have Thai families that previously voted for PTP or whoever they were, I 'll bet they will not vote Democrat whenever the next election may be unless the reeducation centers do an exceptional job?

Anyway, relative peace in some parts of the country at the expense of those freedoms you lose under a military dictatorship.

Be happy in your work.

No need for that just dismantling the red propaganda and force used to have to vote red. Not to mention making sure bribing for votes can't be done. But most of all making sure people in the North can't be bullied by red shirt to vote red but have a real free vote.

[aripengu]

So Happy, everything is fine!

[lomatopo]

Considering that almost all of these weapons and munitions "fell off the Army truck", it shouldn't be too hard for them to find them, again. I mean presumably someone remembers who they sold them to?

[allan michaud]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Any IDs found?

I find it amazing that suddenly weapons are being found all over the country. What in the hell have the army and police been doing all this time?

I am pretty sure until the coup it had nothing to do with the army, it was the police's job, which explains the lack of action.

[allan michaud]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Considering that almost all of these weapons and munitions "fell off the Army truck", it shouldn't be too hard for them to find them, again. I mean presumably someone remembers who they sold them to?

Maybe in some cases (this one sounds dubious as they were all new and still boxed apparently) but Thailand has a shocking amount of weapons floating around, many from the numerous wars that have taken place in neighboring countries over the past few decades. By comparison Cambodia has very little gun violence thanks to a very successful effort in the 90's to disarm the country. Now only the governing thugs have the guns. Anyway, I see it being pretty easy to get weapons from places like Burma or Laos with little trouble so no reason to suspect all these weapons came from the Thai military.

[fab4]

You do know this is just the tip of the iceberg. Just like the fact that police intercept only a small fraction of illegal drugs, there are vast quantities of war weapons stashed all over the country. Those six thousand M-16 rifles, stolen from an army depot in 2010, have never surfaced. Also, in 2010, a factory turning out launchers for the M-79 grenade was shut down and you have to believe that it reopened in another location. People who keep these type of weapons are not 'nice' and someday may get orders to use them. The danger is a long way from being past. Be vigilant.

Ah not that old myth again!

6000 rifles stolen from an army depot in 2010 - exclusive reporting of which only reported in Thai Visa News.....................

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/345203-6000-guns-and-explosives-stolen-from-thai-army-barracks/#entry3393709

...............which then transpired to be 3000 rounds of ammunition and 20 grenades and was beginning to look like an inside job................

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/345203-6000-guns-and-explosives-stolen-from-thai-army-barracks/page-4#entry3394043

......................meanwhile, subtle hints were being bandied about by the government that the "weapons" were destined for the recently called UDD demonstrations planned to be held that sunday..............

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/345203-6000-guns-and-explosives-stolen-from-thai-army-barracks/page-5#entry3394173

....................then suprise, suprise, it turns out it was an inside job................

The stolen weapons in Phatthalung were smuggled out of an Army's arsenal over time but culprits made it appeared like a break-in, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda said on Tuesday.

Anupong vowed to get to the bottom of the matter in order to bring culprits to justice. The theft is seen as an insider job."I think the theft involved certain rogue soldiers," Anupong said, hinting at the individual crime and not an arms smuggling ring as previously believed.

In the face of the theft, the Army has launched a security review at its arms depots and ordered arsenal checks for every two months.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/03/09/politics/Weapons-theft-in-Phatthalung-not-a-break-in-but-an-30124270.html

One could surmise about the fortuitous timing of the announcement by the government at the time. One might say even that it was used as a "pretext for checkpoints and stoking fear" (like you are doing with your talk of "vast quantities of war weapons stashed all over the country")

http://asiancorrespondent.com/29668/pretext-for-checkpoints-and-stoking-fear/