CHONBURI — Local authorities and the Royal Thai Police are investigating a major security breach after a 31-year-old Chinese national, identified as Mr. Mingchen, was caught with a small “arsenal” following a car accident on May 8, 2025.
The suspect was apprehended in the Na Jomtien sub-district after his white Toyota Altis flipped over near the Huay Yai intersection, revealing war weapons and explosives inside the vehicle.
Subsequent investigations led police to a rental home in Bang Lamung, where they discovered a suicide vest rigged with C4 explosives. Shockingly, police sources indicate that one of the handguns found was allegedly purchased from an active police officer in Bangkok for 100,000 THB.
What began as a routine response to a traffic accident quickly spiraled into a high-priority national security case. According to Thairath, the Na Jomtien police arrived at the scene of a flipped sedan on the railway bypass road to find Mr. Mingchen and a Taiwanese woman. While assisting the pair, officers noticed firearms in plain view within the wreckage.
Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered:
- An automatic handgun (Glock 26, 9mm) with ammunition.
- Modification materials, including a 20-liter fuel tank and a brand-new car battery.
- Evidence on the suspect’s phone suggests he used AI chatbots like ChatGPT to research “car bomb” construction and sabotage tactics.
As investigators traced the serial numbers of the seized weapons, a disturbing detail emerged. The Glock 26 semi-automatic pistol found in the suspect’s car has been linked to a Sub-Lieutenant currently stationed at the Sai Mai Police Station in Bangkok.
Preliminary reports suggest that Mr. Mingchen purchased the weapon directly from the officer for 100,000 THB ($2,700 USD). Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, the acting National Police Chief, has traveled to Na Jomtien to oversee the expansion of this investigation. The authorities are now working to determine if other officers were involved in the illicit sale of military-grade gear or if this was an isolated incident of corruption.
The investigation deepened on the evening of May 8 when Pol. Maj. Gen. Pongphan Wongmaneethet led a raid on the suspect’s residence in a luxury housing estate in Huay Yai. Inside, the “arsenal” grew significantly.
Mr. Mingchen reportedly confessed to spending over 1.3 million THB (approx. $35,000 USD) to accumulate the collection. He claimed he purchased the items online and picked them up in Rayong province.
During interrogation, the suspect alleged he was suffering from severe depression and intended to use the weapons to end his own life. However, the presence of car bomb instructions and a suicide vest has led investigators to remain skeptical of this “suicide” motive.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Welfare
The suspect appeared visibly stressed during his transfer to the Pattaya Provincial Court on May 9. According to a court translator, Mr. Mingchen has been on suicide watch within the holding cells, as he reportedly spoke of wanting to die throughout the night.
He currently faces multiple severe charges, including:
- Illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
- Carrying weapons in public without a permit.
- Possession of “war weapons” that cannot be legally registered by civilians.
- Illegal possession of explosive devices.
- Unauthorized possession of military-grade equipment.
The Royal Thai Police are now widening the net to find the online sellers in Rayong and are scrutinizing the suspects’ immigration status. While the suspect held a “pink ID card” (typically issued to non-Thai residents), his true intentions remain the focal point of the probe. Authorities are looking for any links to organized crime syndicates or potential planned attacks in the Chonburi area.
