Police have charged five individuals, including navy personnel and civilians, with involvement in trafficking M4 assault rifles to a Chinese man. They deny the charges and intend to prove their innocence in court.
On 11 May 2026, reporters provided an update on the case of Mr. Ming Chen, a 30-year-old Chinese suspect involved in a car rollover accident where a handgun was found inside his vehicle near the railway road. This discovery led to a raid uncovering a large cache of military-grade weapons hidden in a residence in Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. The investigation resulted in the detention of five suspects linked to trafficking two M4 assault rifles found in the suspect’s home.
The suspects include Mr. Kachon, 47, a firearms instructor at a shooting range in Pattaya City, Chonburi Province, and Mr. Jamlong, 51, a civilian acting as a front. “Sergeant May” or Petty Officer First Class Methee, affiliated with the Royal Thai Navy; Sergeant Boy, 43, from the Navy Aviation Division; and Petty Officer First Class Pathompong. “Sergeant Haeb” a former Royal Thai Navy official.
Regarding the police investigation, recorded testimonies revealed the following: Mr. Ming Chen, the Chinese suspect, came to shoot at a shooting range in Pattaya and met Mr. Kachon, the firearms instructor, with whom he exchanged LINE contact information.
Mr. Ming Chen then sent photographs of firearms to Mr. Kachon, requesting assistance in acquiring the weapons. Mr. Kachon contacted Petty Officer First Class Methee, sharing the firearm images and asking him to locate the weapons. Subsequently, Petty Officer Methee contacted Petty Officer Pathompong to find the firearms Ming Chen wished to buy. Pathompong then reached out to Chief Petty Officer Watcharin to source the weapons.
Later, Petty Officer Pathompong informed Petty Officer Methee that the firearms were available at a price of 200,000 baht. Methee arranged a meeting between Mr. Kachon and Mr. Ming Chen at a store in Village 1, Sattahip Subdistrict, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. Mr. Kachon drove Mr. Ming Chen to meet Methee.
Petty Officer Methee then drove them to an unnumbered shack at Soi Yenrudee-Bon Kai 20, Village 5, Sattahip Subdistrict, the agreed location for the arms deal. After inspecting the firearms, Ming Chen agreed to purchase and transferred 100,000 baht to Pathompong and another 100,000 baht to Jamlong. Jamlong then returned 100,000 baht to Pathompong. Pathompong gave 500 baht in cash to Jamlong as an account fee, 9,000 baht cash to Methee, and transferred 20,000 baht to Kachon. Subsequently, Ming Chen transferred an additional 10,000 baht to Kachon as a commission for sourcing the firearms. Pathompong also transferred 170,000 baht to Watcharin as payment for the weapons.
Lieutenant Colonel Sinsamut Boontatsana, an investigation officer, stated that the accused are charged with possessing firearms that cannot be legally licensed and jointly selling firearms that cannot be legally licensed. The suspects were informed of their rights to remain silent or make statements, with any statements potentially used as evidence. They also have the right to legal counsel or trusted persons during questioning.
Initially, the suspects acknowledged the charges and understood them fully. All five suspects have denied the allegations and intend to contest the charges to prove their innocence in court.