Phatthalung police raided and arrested a man from Pa Bon seizing methamphetamine and firearms; during further search, they found an M67 grenade hidden in the kitchen, posing a risk to his wife and 3-year-old child.
On 7 March 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirat Jeenmuang, Deputy Chief of Investigation, Phatthalung Provincial Police and head of the narcotics suppression unit, led officers from the narcotics crackdown team together with Pa Bon Police to arrest Mr. Thanong, also known as Pui Maneerat, 41, at a friend's house in Village No. 5, Khok Sai Subdistrict, Pa Bon District, Phatthalung Province. They seized 2 bags containing a total of 131 methamphetamine tablets, a .357 caliber pistol with 2 rounds loaded in the chamber, and one black cloth holster. Thanong confessed that the drugs and firearm were his. He had stopped by his friend's house after the incident, and the friend was unaware that he was carrying drugs and a gun.
Later, authorities expanded their search to Mr. Thanong's residence in Khok Sai Subdistrict, Pa Bon District, where he lives with his wife and their 3-year-old son. Inside the house, officers found one M67 fragmentation grenade hidden inside a stainless steel cup placed on the floor in a corner of the kitchen, despite the presence of a small child in the home. Additionally, one mobile phone was seized for further investigation to expand the drug network probe.
During initial questioning, Mr. Thanong admitted that he had purchased about 200 methamphetamine tablets for personal use approximately two days earlier at a price of 2,700 baht. He bought the firearm about three months ago for 55,000 baht, claiming it was for self-defense and protection of property. The grenade was purchased roughly six months ago for 1,000 baht and was kept hidden in the kitchen of the house.
Authorities initially charged him with illegal possession of Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine), possession of firearms and ammunition without a license, and illegal possession of explosives. He was taken with the seized items to Pa Bon Police Station for prosecution under the law.