Ten shocks from Mingchen Sun, a Chinese man stockpiling war weapons, holding a pink ID card without Thai nationality. He was found to have moved from Chiang Mai in 2023. His ex-wife confirmed he suffered from depression. Society questions arms trafficking networks and calls for urgent investigation into possible facilitation of name additions in the civil registry.
On 9 May 2026, reports stated the case began with a car rollover accident at Najomtien Police Station area, Sattahip District, Chonburi Province. The driver was 31-year-old Chinese national Mingchen, accompanied by a Taiwanese woman. Officials inspecting the scene found firearms with magazines inside the vehicle, leading to a broader search of a luxury residence in Huay Yai Alley, where they were stunned to discover C4 explosives and numerous M16 rifles.
During a search of the rented residence where Mingchen lived—paying 38,000 baht monthly—authorities were shocked to uncover a large cache of war weapons and high-explosive devices. The seized items included:
Two M16 assault rifles and one Glock 26 handgun.
More than 791 rounds of 5.56 mm ammunition and additional 9 mm rounds.
C4 explosives weighing a total of 4,832.4 grams, some attached to body armor.
Four Russian POMZ2 anti-personnel blast mines.
Six hand-thrown fragmentation grenades from various countries.
Electric detonators and two remote control transmitter-receiver sets.
Other equipment included three ballistic vests, a gas mask, and 80 liters of gasoline.
In initial statements, Mingchen claimed he ordered all weapons online and collected them in Rayong Province, intending to use them to commit suicide due to depression. However, police remain skeptical, as the nature of the seized items suggests preparation for violent acts.
Travel records show Mingchen first entered Thailand in 2020 on a tourist visa, and most recently entered on 27 January 2026 with a "re-entry visa" linked to a long-term visa allowing a five-year stay.
Notably, Mingchen holds dual passports from China and Cambodia, and possesses a pink ID card for stateless persons, registered in Bangkok after moving from Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province, at the end of 2023.
Following a search at the residence listed on the pink card in the Nimmit Mai Police Station area, officials met Ms. A (alias), Mingchen's ex-wife, who provided revealing information.
She met Mingchen in Pattaya in 2021 before they registered their marriage.
Mingchen used her household registration name to obtain the pink card and opened a company claiming to operate car rental and other businesses.
He frequently traveled abroad to countries such as South Korea and Australia. Later, his behavior became strange and distant, leading to their divorce in 2025.
Currently, police are conducting in-depth investigations into how such a vast arsenal of war weapons was brought into the country and the intended use. They are also thoroughly verifying the legitimacy of the pink card and official Thai documents held by the suspect.