Swiss man arrested with bullets at Phuket airport

[webfact]

Swiss man arrested with bullets at Phuket airport
Eakkapop Thongtub


39-year-old Andre Steinemann was arrested when two bullets and a magazine were found in his luggage.

PHUKET: -- A Swiss man was arrested at Phuket International Airport (PIA) yesterday (Dec 14) when it was discovered he was carrying live ammunition in his suitcase.

The arrest of 39-year-old Andre Steinemann was made by Tha Chatchai Police Chief Col Somchay Sanprasert, Immigration Police and officials from Royal Navy Third Third Area Command when the two 9mm bullets and one Sig Sauer magazine was picked up by x-ray scanner.

Chief supervisor one of the airport’s security teams, Wantana Sirijantarachart, was alerted of the discovery by x-ray officer Kamon Kaidhom who stated that the x-ray machine showed an image of what appeared to be ammunition inside a Samsonite suitcase belonging to a foreign man.

After opening the case, the two bullets and magazine were found inside and police were contacted.

When asked by police if he had a permit to carry the ammunition, Mr Andre said that he didn’t, so he was taken to Tha Chachat police station where he was charged with illegal possession of ammunition.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/swiss-man-arrested-with-bullets-at-phuket-airport-55414.php


-- Phuket News 2015-12-15

[JoeLing]

Did he admit it was his ammunition?

Or is the year old Philippine Scam getting a foot hold in Thailand?
Rather odd how often this happen in the last few months here in
Thailand, whilst before we never heard about, it apart from the
scam in the Philippines.

[Somtamnication]

Well, the look of the tourist police to the far right is priceless.

[HooHaa]

Did he admit it was his ammunition?

Or is the year old Philippine Scam getting a foot hold in Thailand?

Rather odd how often this happen in the last few months here in

Thailand, whilst before we never heard about, it apart from the

scam in the Philippines.

yes it is redolent of the philipines scam, with one key difference, this guy had a magazine as well, i belive in the phils it is usually just a loose bullet or two placed during checks.

[Rocceao]

Well, the look of the tourist police to the far right is priceless.

I have owned pistols as a member of numerous pistol clubs over the years and I don't know anyone that would carry one mag with two rounds in it, you just wouldn't do it.

Also isn't the Sig 9mm the standard issue now for the RTP???

Edited December 15, 2015 by Rocceao

[amerasianex]

OMG please stop with these ridiculous bullets and flack vest stories they just make Thailand look stupid and stop many people from coming to a country with ridiculous laws... Very few visitors coming as it is.. What they guy going to do throw the damn bullets at the police... Just stop. please....lol...You look ridiculous in the eyes of the world....

[LivinginKata]

Did he admit it was his ammunition?

Or is the year old Philippine Scam getting a foot hold in Thailand?

Rather odd how often this happen in the last few months here in

Thailand, whilst before we never heard about, it apart from the

scam in the Philippines.

That news story does not say he admitted to packing the ammunition. Lot more to this news story than meets the casual reporting.

[HooHaa]

Did he admit it was his ammunition?

Or is the year old Philippine Scam getting a foot hold in Thailand?

Rather odd how often this happen in the last few months here in

Thailand, whilst before we never heard about, it apart from the

scam in the Philippines.

That news story does not say he admitted to packing the ammunition. Lot more to this news story than meets the casual reporting.

why is your assumption that there is more to the story any more valid than the possibility that he did pack the magazine without a permit?

because you want it to be?

[KhunBENQ]

That news story does not say he admitted to packing the ammunition

This wording sounds like he did (to me):

When asked by police if he had a permit to carry the ammunition, Mr Andre said that he didn’t

My conspiracy theory:

they all look so relaxed as if they agreed to make a nice story to demonstrate the effectiveness of the "ramped up security".

The Swiss got a free escort to his hotel for the photo

No Swiss is so dumb to carry ammunition to Thailand.

I know because I am Swiss

Edited December 15, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[donnybay]

Didn't something like this happen a few months ago?

[KhunBENQ]

Didn't something like this happen a few months ago?

Do you refer to the smart a.. Thai police head who went to Japan with a gun in his carry on luggage?

NOT stopped in Don Mueang but in Japan (of course).

[BKKBrit]

That news story does not say he admitted to packing the ammunition

This wording sounds like he did (to me):

When asked by police if he had a permit to carry the ammunition, Mr Andre said that he didn’t

My conspiracy theory:

they all look so relaxed as if they agreed to make a nice story to demonstrate the effectiveness of the "ramped up security".

The Swiss got a free escort to his hotel for the photo

No Swiss is so dumb to carry ammunition to Thailand.

I know because I am Swiss

Maybe not dumb to bring it into Thailand - but dumb enough to take it out. He was leaving HKT, not arriving.

[madmitch]

Did they really need 9 people for the photo-shoot?

[KhunBENQ]

Maybe not dumb to bring it into Thailand - but dumb enough to take it out. He was leaving HKT, not arriving.

From another source obviously.

Not in the report of the OP.

The report in the other English language newspaper says that he left for "Europe".

Now the story makes sense.

He is soo smart and bought the ammunition at Khao San.

Cheaper than in Switzerland.

Of course, a Swiss has a SIG Sauer at home

Edited December 15, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[donnybay]

Didn't something like this happen a few months ago?

Do you refer to the smart a.. Thai police head who went to Japan with a gun in his carry on luggage?

NOT stopped in Don Mueang but in Japan (of course).

Found it, on his way to Phuket

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/870129-norwegian-man-arrested-after-ammunition-found-in-luggage-at-suvarnabhumi/

also

An Israeli in her 20s on her way to Thailand on vacation was arrested on Wednesday at the Bangkok Airport after security found 13 bullets for an M-16 rifle in her bag, forgotten there after she was released from the IDF only five days prior

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4683276,00.html

[dageurreotype]

Did he admit it was his ammunition?

Or is the year old Philippine Scam getting a foot hold in Thailand?

Rather odd how often this happen in the last few months here in

Thailand, whilst before we never heard about, it apart from the

scam in the Philippines.

I'm guessing this http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/04/aviation/philippines-airport-bullet-bag-scam-tanim-bala/

Funny how they never have a gun to go with it. 'Right. Beach towel, swmming trunks, bucket and spade .. oh almost forgot the bullets.'

[dageurreotype]

Did they really need 9 people for the photo-shoot?

Of course. Looks better on Facebook.

[lemonjelly]

It's gotta be a set up, anyone knows an ammunition magazine is going to be unmissable on the scanner, rather too convenient for the BIB.

[dageurreotype]

So for the past few years Phuket's tourism has not only been made up of third-er world Chinese and Russians, but Phuket Officials are now dredging even lower depths with this Philippine scam. Dear God, no hope.

[JoeLing]

Maybe not dumb to bring it into Thailand - but dumb enough to take it out. He was leaving HKT, not arriving.

From another source obviously.

Not in the report of the OP.

The report in the other English language newspaper says that he left for "Europe".

Now the story makes sense.

He is soo smart and bought the ammunition at Khao San.

Cheaper than in Switzerland.

Of course, a Swiss has a SIG Sauer at home

Naa, doesn't make sense either as he probably could get them for free.

Fairly easy to only load 10 bullets instead of 12 when you have your

obligatory or voluntary shooting days. (Sorry, missed the target twice)

We used to that when I was 14.

Edited December 15, 2015 by JoeLing

[LostTourist]

Well, the look of the tourist police to the far right is priceless.

How smug does he look?

[NamKangMan]

Interesting there is an ATM so close by.

[allan michaud]

That news story does not say he admitted to packing the ammunition

This wording sounds like he did (to me):

When asked by police if he had a permit to carry the ammunition, Mr Andre said that he didn’t

My conspiracy theory:

they all look so relaxed as if they agreed to make a nice story to demonstrate the effectiveness of the "ramped up security".

The Swiss got a free escort to his hotel for the photo

No Swiss is so dumb to carry ammunition to Thailand.

I know because I am Swiss

Maybe not dumb to bring it into Thailand - but dumb enough to take it out. He was leaving HKT, not arriving.

Seriously? Swiss have pretty relaxed gun laws from what I understand and pretty much every adult has a gun from military service. What possible reason would he have for doing this? I refuse to believe this guy was that stupid. This is the second such incident I have read about in the last month and since there was a major international story about the old Philippine scam. The Thais are just copying. Take very great care when traveling to and from Thai airports in the future.

[Deez]

Do they get bonuses for each picture they are in? This one looks like the janitor and secretary joined in too...

[Tywais]

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[williamgeorgeallen]

I hope the BiB etc did not handle the mag as finger prints will tell all. If his are on it, the guy is a tool, if not then questions/research must be done.

dose not work that way in Thailand. they don't want to clear him. they want to show him as another bad foreigner and get cash out of him.

[Netzero]

It always amazes me in how these photos of the police with the arrested suspect look like fisherman standing around the fish they 'caught' - so proud...Wow, look what we found. Also, the incident before this one was a police officer from Norway that has a round in his luggage. Not exactly a terrorist.

[stevenl]

It seems to be a usual day on TV: the foreigner can not have made the mistake, must have been the evil Thai.

Edit: must be 'the westerner', because any other foreigner would have been ignored here on TV.

Edited December 15, 2015 by stevenl

[chrisinth]

So for the past few years Phuket's tourism has not only been made up of third-er world Chinese and Russians, but Phuket Officials are now dredging even lower depths with this Philippine scam. Dear God, no hope.

How does the scam work?

If you are going to parade the accused in front of the cameras, officially charge him, lock him up?

Or does the scam go the whole way to the courts as well?

Just curious.

Even in Thailand it should take them a relatively short time to find the history of the ammunition.

As it appears he was leaving the country and not arriving, I grant it makes it a bit more difficult as we wouldn't be talking international destinations for the ammo. Unless it has been in his baggage the entire time...................

[smotherb]

Did he admit it was his ammunition?

Or is the year old Philippine Scam getting a foot hold in Thailand?

Rather odd how often this happen in the last few months here in

Thailand, whilst before we never heard about, it apart from the

scam in the Philippines.

yes it is redolent of the philipines scam, with one key difference, this guy had a magazine as well, i belive in the phils it is usually just a loose bullet or two placed during checks.

We all know the Thais are more adept.