Chinese man arrested with arms cache after buying police pistol

Thairath•Society•21d ago

Reader Briefing

A Chinese national was apprehended in Chonburi with a significant arsenal, including war weapons and C4 explosives, following the discovery that he purchased a pistol from a Bangkok police officer for 100,000 baht.

•A Chinese man, Mingchen, was arrested in Chonburi after a car accident revealed a large cache of weapons, including war guns and C4 explosives.
•Investigators discovered that Mingchen had purchased a Glock pistol from a police officer at the Saeng Mai Police Station in Bangkok for 100,000 baht.
•Mingchen, who claimed to be suffering from depression and intended to end his life, has confessed to all charges.

Overview

•On May 8, 2026, Chonburi police, led by Pol.Maj. Gen. Pongpan Wongmaneethat, searched the residence of Mingchen, aged 31, in Banglamung, Chonburi.
•The search followed the apprehension of Mingchen and a Taiwanese woman after their car overturned in Na Chom Thian, where war weapons were found.
•Mingchen purchased a semi-automatic pistol, Glock (26) 9mm, from a police lieutenant at Saeng Mai Police Station, Bangkok, for 100,000 baht.
•On May 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Mingchen was taken from the detention room for fingerprinting and subsequently detained at Pattaya Provincial Court.
•Mingchen is charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
•Mingchen claimed to have purchased weapons and explosives online from Rayong with the intent to commit suicide due to depression.
•Mingchen admitted to purchasing all confiscated items, with a total value of 1.3 million baht.
•At approximately 11:00 AM on May 9, 2026, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpetch, the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, was scheduled to visit Na Chom Thian Police Station to review the case's progress.

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Key Entities

Person

Chinese Man(หนุ่มจีน)

The primary suspect in the arms cache case, apprehended in Chonburi.

Mingchen(นายหมิงเฉิน)

The 31-year-old Chinese national arrested with a large arsenal of weapons in Chonburi.

Pol.Maj. Gen. Pongpan Wongmaneethat(พล.ต.ต.พงศ์พันธ์ วงษ์มณีเทศ)

Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police who led the operation to search Mingchen's residence.

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanpetch(พล.ต.อ.กิตติ์รัฐ พันธุ์เพ็ชร์)

The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, who was scheduled to visit the station to follow up on the case.

Permanent Secretary of Defence(ปลัดกระทรวงกลาโหม)

The authority whose permission is required for possessing war materiel.

Police Officer(นายตำรวจ)

The individual from Saeng Mai Police Station who sold a pistol to Mingchen.

Second Lieutenant (Class 53 Cadet)(ร้อยตำรวจตรี (อบรมนายร้อย 53 ))

The rank and training class of the police officer who sold the pistol to Mingchen.

Organization

Saeng Mai Police Station, Bangkok(สน.สายไหม กทม.)

The police station where the pistol purchased by Mingchen was registered to an officer.

Na Chom Thian Police Station(สภ.นาจอมเทียน)

The police station that initially arrested Mingchen after the car accident and is handling the case.

Pattaya Provincial Court(ศาลจังหวัดพัทยา)

The court where Mingchen was detained and will face charges.

Law

War Materiel(ยุทธภัณฑ์)

Class of items Mingchen is charged with possessing without authorization.