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(Photos by Jakkrit Waewkraihong)

On Tuesday,[10 April 2018], Pol Capt Singh Naree, lead inspector of Mai Rud police station, and Capt Kasem Rodjeen, director of the marines of the 532nd regiment, led teams to patrol and inspect vehicles going in and out of Khlong Yai district of Trat. During the patrol, authorities identified a mysterious four-door Toyota pick-up truck with Bangkok licence plates and a plastic cover over its bed at about 10pm.

The vehicle, driven by Chayut Prasertrit, 53, also had a 4th Calvary Regiment sticker which further raised suspicions.

Mr Prasertrit, who was from Muak Lek district of Saraburi province, was then told to open the bed of his truck, where a cache of military-grade weapons was found.

They comprised two Tavor assault rifles, four M-16 rifles, 20 M-16 upper receivers, four M16 lower receivers and three hand flares.

Mr Chayut admitted that he was delivering the weapons from a neighbouring country to a customer in Saraburi.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/securi ... dia-border

I doubt these were Cambodian they don't use all that many M16's and they don't use Tavor's either.

tonetone420 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 13, 2018 4:39 am I doubt these were Cambodian they don't use all that many M16's and they don't use Tavor's either.

There's a reason they dont use them in Cambodia. How can they when they are sitting in the back of a ute in Thailand.

Thai police probe smuggled weapons
13 April 2018
Thai authorities have arrested a man suspected of smuggling illegal weapons from Cambodia to Thailand, according to Cambodian National Police.

On Tuesday night, Thai authorities intercepted a vehicle at a checkpoint in Klaing Yai district, in Thailand’s Trat province, about 50 kilometres from Cambodia’s Cham Yeam checkpoint, a Cambodian National Police website announcement reads.

The weapons seized included two that appear to be Chinese-made Type-95 assault rifles, four M-16s and dozens of rifle parts.

Kirth Chantharith, National Police spokesman, confirmed the arrest.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... ed-weapons

Definitely not Cambodian guns, said the Defense Ministry spokesman, responding to allegations of arms traffic from Cambodia to Thailand. Anyone who says otherwise may be charged with spreading fake news.


Defence Ministry denies weapons in smuggling case came from Cambodia
19 April 2018
After a Thai national was arrested last week for allegedly smuggling guns from Cambodia to Thailand, Cambodia's Defence Ministry has claimed the weapons seized during the arrest are not used in Cambodia, despite the fact that both types of rifle seized are commonly found in the Kingdom.

Chhum Socheat, spokesperson for the ministry, said in a Facebook post on Thursday that those alleging that the weapons originated in Cambodia were distributing “fake news”.

A man, identified by Thai media as Chayut Prasertrit, was arrested near the Cambodian border in Thailand's Trat province and allegedly confessed to having smuggled the weapons from Cambodia to the neighbouring country for delivery to a client there. His vehicle was reported as bearing a Thai military sticker.

Among the weapons appear to be two Chinese-built Type-95 assault rifles, four completed M16s and numerous parts for building the latter.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... e-cambodia

So, did the guns come from Cambodia ? Maybe, maybe not... There appears to be a conflict between different ministries.

Kheng calls for inquiry into gun smuggling
27 April 2018
Interior Minister Sar Kheng on Thursday ordered authorities to investigate a potential connection between a recent gun-smuggling case in Thailand and a similar case last year, seemingly contradicting the Defence Ministry’s earlier claim that the weapons didn’t stem from Cambodia.

During a speech in Kratie, Kheng said there were “still problems” regarding gun smuggling, and that it occurred mostly between Cambodia and Thailand. “The Thais have cracked down on it and arrested some, but they have not yet arrested the mastermind,” he said, adding that a report indicated that the case in mid-April may be related to a 2017 incident.

Last June and July, several members of a smuggler ring were arrested both in Thailand and Cambodia. Among those arrested were a first lieutenant at Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior who is a relative by marriage of both Defence Minister Tea Banh and former Koh Kong Governor Bun Leut.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... -smuggling

April 27, 2018
Interior Minister asks police to investigate weapons smuggling

Interior Minister Sar Kheng has ordered all authorities to investigate the roots of arms smuggling from Cambodia to other countries, especially Thailand, and arrest the masterminds.

Speaking yesterday during a ceremony to replace the governor in Kratie province, Mr Kheng said that the control of weapons was not well managed last year and ordered authorities to find the ringleaders implicated in smuggling weapons across the border.

“The control of weapons and explosives was not handled well in 2017, with smuggling of arms taking place,” he said. “The Thais cracked down on it, but they have not arrested the ringleaders yet.”

Mr Kheng added that a rebellious movement did not exist in Cambodia, but occurred in Southern Thailand almost every day.

An Interior Ministry report said that last year, Cambodian authorities collected 490 rifles handed over by individuals, arrested 19 people and seized 32 guns and three bombs.

It also said that authorities cracked down on two cases of weapon smuggling.
Gen Sucheat noted that Cambodian authorities would cooperate with their Thai counterparts if assistance was requested.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50484411/i ... smuggling/

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sat Apr 28, 2018 1:11 am

Last June and July, several members of a smuggler ring were arrested both in Thailand and Cambodia. Among those arrested were a first lieutenant at Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior who is a relative by marriage of both Defence Minister Tea Banh and former Koh Kong Governor Bun Leut.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... -smuggling

Military and connected. No follow up on this story? Did he get charged or is he out and about again.
Lucky he is on the side of good or he would be label a terrorist and his party for conspiracy to over through the government of peace and hope.