The Royal Thai Police announced an expansion in the case involving "Ming Chen Sun," also known as Atee4, for possession of war weapons and explosives across seven cases. Eleven suspects have been arrested for involvement in a transnational criminal organization linked to a Cambodian scammer gang associated with Lan Tian, also known as Xiao Lan.
On 21 May 2026 at 14:00, Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiwpan, Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Thai Police and spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, briefed the progress of the case involving "Ming Chen Sun," also known as Atee4 or Mr. Sun Mingchen, a Chinese national charged with possession of war weapons and explosives. The briefing was held at Sarasin Room, Building 1, Royal Thai Police Headquarters, with Police Major General Thitawat Suriyachai, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 2; Police Major General Suraphong Thamphithak, Commander of Special Branch Police 1; Police Major General Thitima Thammesrarnon, Commander of Forensic Science Center 2, Police Forensic Office; Police Colonel Kittisak Yakumphai, Scientist (Level 5) at Forensic Science Center 2; and Police Colonel Preeda Kongjad, Deputy Commander of Technology Crime Suppression Division 1, joining the announcement.
Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, and Police General Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner for Security, have ordered a thorough investigation expansion. So far, seven cases have been consolidated, with 11 suspects arrested. Confiscated evidence includes one handgun, two M4 rifles, ten fragmentation grenades, 3,659 grams of C4 explosives, 673 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition, and three bulletproof vests.
Lieutenant General Trairong revealed that the investigation, conducted jointly with various police units including Provincial Police Region 2, Metropolitan Police Bureau, Central Investigation Bureau, Special Branch Police, Technology Crime Suppression Division, Immigration Office, and Police Forensic Office, involves charges against Mr. Sun Mingchen and associates across seven cases with a total of 11 suspects, including:
1. The case of arresting Mr. Sun Mingchen with firearms and explosives: Two suspects were arrested—Mr. Sun Mingchen, a Chinese national, charged with possession of firearms and ammunition with permission, carrying firearms in public without valid reason, possessing firearms and ammunition not authorized by the registrar, possession of explosives, and possession of war materials without permission; and Ms. Yu Xin Ma, a Taiwanese national, charged with jointly possessing firearms without permission.
2. The case involving expansion related to M4 rifles: Investigators have charged five sellers who sold M4 rifles to Mr. Sun Mingchen with "jointly selling firearms that cannot be licensed by the registrar and other related offenses." The suspects are Mr. Kachain, Mr. Methee, Mr. Jamlong, Mr. Pathomphon, and Mr. Watcharin.
3. The case involving expansion related to Glock 26 handguns: Six individuals connected to the sale of these firearms are under summons for questioning. Recently, investigators from Huay Yai Police Station in Chonburi province forwarded the case to Huay Khwang Police Station to continue interrogations and press charges against the involved suspects.
4. The case expanding on two explosives: Mr. Sun Mingchen ordered Mr. Si Bun Liang to find someone to pick up explosives near the border in Mae Sot district, Tak province. Four people are involved: Mr. Sun Mingchen; Mr. Si Bun Liang (driver); Mr. Somkiat (hired to drive to receive explosives); and Mr. Napat (hired by Mr. Somkiat to pick up on his behalf). The investigation is ongoing.
5. The case expanding on obtaining pink ID cards: Four arrest warrants have been issued for three suspects, all of whom have been arrested. These include two warrants for a former chief district officer of Chiang Dao (currently chief district officer of Hod district, Chiang Mai province), one warrant for an official, and one for Mr. Sun Mingchen. The investigation is still expanding.
6. The case expanding the network's involvement in transnational organized crime of Mr. Sun Mingchen and associates: Four individuals face charges of participation, including Lan Tian or Xiao Lan (currently in Cambodia; police plan to coordinate for an arrest warrant), Mr. Sun Mingchen, Mr. Si Bun Liang, and Mr. Somkiat. They are accused of jointly possessing and procuring firearms, ammunition, explosives, and war materials to commit serious crimes and obtaining direct or indirect property benefits in four areas: firearms, illegal smuggling of people in and out of the kingdom, customs law violations, and smuggling 20 million baht. The investigation to gather evidence continues.
7. The case expanding on financial routes and cryptocurrency trading networks of Mr. Sun Mingchen and associates related to other online scam cases: Investigations found Mr. Sun Mingchen holds five Thai bank accounts. Preliminary financial tracing revealed transactions involving over 648 accounts linked to a total of 4,143 case IDs, with damages exceeding 815 million baht. Regarding cryptocurrency trading, records show transactions from 2021 to present involving several groups, some prosecuted and others under investigation. Evidence indicates Mr. Sun Mingchen's involvement in technology crimes, including organized crime and money laundering. The Technology Crime Suppression Division 1 has filed complaints for prosecution against Mr. Sun Mingchen.
The police spokesperson stated that all evidence clearly links Mr. Sun Mingchen with a Cambodian scammer gang led by Lan Tian or Xiao Lan. Conflicts within the scammer networks have also been identified. The police continue to investigate and expand the case in all dimensions.