Sergeant Haeb, a former navy soldier, revealed he contacted police to show his sincerity, firmly denying that he procured guns or had any involvement with the "Chinese man" in any way.
Progress on the case involves police arresting Mr. Mingchen Sun, 31, Chinese national, and Ms. A, Yu-Hsin, 33, Taiwanese national, after a car accident where their sedan flipped over in the Najomtien Police Station area. Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers found firearms with magazines, prompting a search of a residence in Huay Yai soi. They uncovered war weapons, highly destructive explosives, personnel-killing bombs, and 10 grenade-type explosives, along with bomb-making equipment and large quantities of fuel. All were seized as evidence, and suspects were detained for legal proceedings. Last night, Najomtien police held Mr. Mingchen Sun after continuous interrogation throughout the day before transferring him to Pattaya Immigration Office detention. He appeared visibly exhausted and required continuous medication.
At approximately 15:30 on 10 May 2026 at Najomtien Police Station, authorities detained "Sergeant Methee" or Lieutenant Commander Methee from the Navy and Lieutenant Commander Pathomphon "Sergeant Haeb," a former navy official, for questioning. Both were suspected of supplying firearms to Chinese nationals and were interrogated for several hours.
Lieutenant Commander Pathomphon, known as "Sergeant Haeb" and a former navy official, told reporters today that he voluntarily contacted police to meet investigators to declare his innocence. He acknowledged knowing Sergeant Methee because naval personnel are generally acquainted with each other, but he insisted he was not involved in procuring firearms nor connected to the Chinese group in any way.
Reports indicate the origin began when Mr. Mingchen, the Chinese suspect, visited a shooting range in Pattaya and met Mr. Kachon (Boy). They exchanged Line contacts. Subsequently, Mr. Mingchen sent photos of firearms he wanted to Mr. Kachon to order. Mr. Kachon then coordinated with Mr. Methee to source the weapons as requested. Mr. Methee contacted Mr. Pathompong (Sergeant Haeb), and the guns were then offered through Mr. Watcharin (Sergeant Boy), who was the final link in procuring the firearms.
In this gun transaction, profits were systematically added at multiple stages.
1. Original price: 150,000 baht.
2. Then Mr. Pathompong (Sergeant Haeb) added 30,000 baht (quoted price 180,000 baht).
3. Mr. Kachon added another 20,000 baht (selling price to the Chinese man was 200,000 baht).
After agreeing on the price, Mr. Kachon drove Mr. Mingchen to meet Mr. Methee at a convenience store on Sukhumvit Road before proceeding to the meeting point at a garden house in Sattahip district. The location was a garden enclosed by barbed wire on a hillside with shipping containers, where Sergeant Haeb and Sergeant Boy delivered the firearms.
Once satisfied with the inspection of the firearms, Mr. Mingchen transferred 100,000 baht to Mr. Watcharin's (Sergeant Boy) account and another 100,000 baht to Mr. Jamlong (the money recipient) on 5 February 2026. Mr. Jamlong received 500 baht as a fee for withdrawing the money.
As for Ms. A, Yu-Hsin, 33, Taiwanese national, police brought her in for questioning with an interpreter to determine any links to the firearms and explosives found.