Police have detained Sergeants Haeb, Boy, and Methee for questioning over their alleged role in procuring an M4 rifle for a Chinese man. The suspects appeared tense and declined to respond to media questions about the case.
On 10 May 2026, authorities reported progress in the case involving the arrest of 31-year-old Chinese national Mingchen Sun and 33-year-old Taiwanese national A, Yu-Hsin after a car accident in the jurisdiction of Najomtien Police Station. During inspection of the vehicle, officers found firearms with magazines, prompting a search of a residence in Huay Yai soi. There, they discovered military-grade weapons, highly destructive explosives, anti-personnel bombs, and ten hand grenades, along with bomb-making materials and large quantities of fuel. These were seized as evidence, and the suspects were detained for legal proceedings.
Recently, police detained 37-year-old former navy man Pathomphon Luangchai, also known as Sergeant Haeb, who is assigned to Sattahip, as the person who arranged the purchase of the M4 rifle for the Chinese national.
Sergeant Haeb's background includes previous news reports of involvement with seven others in an armed robbery of a cash transport vehicle belonging to Samco Company Limited at a gas station opposite a department store in South Pattaya, Chonburi Province. He was subsequently arrested at Mo Chit Bus Terminal but denied all charges during custody.
Meanwhile, reporters noted that authorities brought in Sergeant Boy, another firearms supplier to the Chinese national, for additional questioning at Najomtien Police Station. After about an hour of interrogation in the investigation room, Sergeant Boy, also known as Watcharin, was taken out for further questioning around 14:00. Observers noted his visibly tense demeanor, and he refused to answer questions regarding his relationship with Mingchen Sun or details about the firearm transactions.
At 15:50, investigators from Najomtien Police Station detained Lieutenant Colonel Pathompong Luangchai (his rank at the time of arrest), also known as Sergeant Haeb, aged 52, for questioning. He stated he was not involved in the gun transactions with Mingchen Sun and learned about the case only through news reports. He has provided preliminary statements to the police.
He came forward today to assert his innocence, denying any involvement in the firearm transactions, and rejected all accusations. Regarding his relationship with Methee and Watcharin (Sergeant Boy), he said they were well-acquainted, especially Watcharin, as they were both navy personnel. He added that if he were truly involved in procuring guns, he would have become wealthy since each firearm costs several hundred thousand baht.
At around 16:00, Najomtien Police investigators detained Lieutenant Colonel Methee Narom, a navy officer and security guard at a restaurant in Chonburi Province, who acted as the intermediary coordinating firearm procurement between Mr. Kachen and Sergeant Haeb. He was brought in from the Sattahip area for questioning.
While being escorted into the investigation room, Methee wore a face mask and hat to conceal his identity and appeared quite tense. When reporters inquired about his relationship with Mingchen Sun and Sergeant Haeb, he declined to comment.