Progress update: A Chinese man found stockpiling weapons reportedly purchased a pistol from a police officer at Sai Mai Police Station in Bangkok for 100,000 baht. The investigation team is currently verifying the facts.
In the case led by Police Major General Pongpan Wongmanithat, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, authorities and related agencies searched a residence in Village No. 2, Huay Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The home of Ming Chen, 31, was searched on the evening of 8 May, revealing numerous war weapons and C4 explosives attached to a bulletproof vest. This followed a traffic accident investigation in the Najomtien area, where Najomtien Police apprehended Ming Chen, the driver holding a Chinese passport and a pink ID card, and a Taiwanese woman. War weapons were found in the car. The suspect claimed to have ordered the weapons and explosives online to be collected in Rayong Province, intending to end his life due to depression. Police remain skeptical of this statement, as previously reported.
At 10:00 a.m. today (9 May 2026), Najomtien Police brought Ming Chen, 31, a Chinese national, from detention to fingerprint him before remanding him to Pattaya Provincial Court. He faces charges including possession of firearms and ammunition without a license, carrying firearms in public or residential areas without proper authorization or urgent reason, possession of firearms and ammunition for which licenses cannot be issued, possession of explosives, and possession of military-grade equipment without permission from the Ministry of Defence.
Ming Chen, 31, appeared tense throughout. An interpreter told reporters that the suspect showed signs of stress, repeatedly expressing suicidal thoughts overnight, prompting close police supervision. He is reportedly diagnosed with depression and requires medication, especially sleeping pills at night. After arrest, he did not request to see anyone in particular and confessed to all charges. The suspect admitted that the seized items were purchased at a total value of 1.3 million baht.
Around 11:00 a.m., Police General Kittirat Phanphet, also known as Big Tai, the Royal Thai Police Commissioner, was scheduled to visit Najomtien Police Station to follow up on the case and ongoing investigation efforts.
Our news team inspected the white Toyota Altis sedan involved in the accident near the railway line close to Huay Yai intersection, Village No. 1, Najomtien Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi. The suspect’s car collided with a roadside concrete barrier, flipping onto its side. Police arrived to assist and discovered the suspect was carrying a firearm, leading to his arrest and subsequent search of his residence where explosives were found.
The car was heavily damaged, with a red 20-liter fuel tank and a brand-new car battery mounted in the rear, appearing to be part of a device under preparation. This aligns with chat records from GPT where the suspect inquired about assembling car bombs.
Recent reports confirm that a Glock 26 semi-automatic 9mm pistol with a 10-round magazine was found inside the crashed vehicle driven by Ming Chen. Police traced the pistol’s origin to a police officer with the rank of Police Lieutenant (from the 53rd Police Cadet Class), currently assigned to Sai Mai Police Station in Bangkok. The suspect purchased the pistol from this officer for 100,000 baht. The investigation team is still verifying these details.