Trat — Marine police from Laem Ngop joined forces with the Royal Thai Navy to launch an operation intercepting a war-weapons smuggling network, after receiving intelligence from a Navy intelligence unit that weapons were being transported by sea from a neighboring country. Officers gave chase and arrested three suspects, seizing two AK-47 rifles along with ammunition of multiple calibers totaling more than 21,000 rounds. The investigation is being urgently expanded to identify the remaining members of the network.
Pol. Lt. Col. Phithak Kitti, Superintendent of Marine Police Station 5, Marine Police Division 5, revealed that he had received coordinated intelligence from the intelligence operations unit of the Intelligence Division, Royal Thai Navy Intelligence Department, Fleet Command Area 1, indicating that war weapons would be smuggled by sea from a neighboring country, headed toward Laem Ngob District, Trat Province, at 14:00 on 21 August 2026.
Officers then deployed an interception force, sending Pol. Sgt. Maj. Rachsak Phlaikon, together with a total of three marine police officers, aboard a speedboat to lie in wait near the pier bridge at Tharmmayom Waterfall, Ko Chang Tai Sub-district, Ko Chang District.
At 17:00, officers were informed that the suspect speedboat had passed through Chong Chang, and they gave chase by boat, while coordinating with marine police stationed at Direk Pier in Khlong Yai Sub-district, Laem Ngob District, who had been positioned there as a blocking force. Upon realizing they were being followed, those aboard the suspect vessel accelerated and fled toward shore.
At 18:26, the suspect speedboat entered Direk Pier, where the waiting officers moved in to take control. Three suspects were found — two men and one woman — and a search of the boat uncovered two AK-47 rifles and bags containing large quantities of ammunition.
Upon subsequent inspection and opening of the seized crates, ammunition of multiple calibers was found, comprising 8,400 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 765 rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, and a further 12,244 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, bringing the total count of ammunition to 21,409 rounds. Additionally, 102 AK-47 magazine pouches were also found.
Pol. Lt. Col. Phithak disclosed that investigators, working from informant intelligence, had discovered that war weapons were being prepared for transport by sea from a neighboring country, with the intended destination being a pier in Laem Ngob District. A plan was drawn up to intercept the shipment, and all three suspects were subsequently taken into custody. Preliminary information indicates they are locals from Trat Province, while the intended destination of the weapons is still under investigation.
Officers believe the three suspects may be only part of a larger network, given the large quantity of weapons and ammunition involved. The investigation is currently being expanded to identify other members of the operation and all those connected, including a check on a red SUV sedan bearing Trat Province registration plate Kor Jor 2739, which information has linked to the smuggling operation.
At around 20:00, marine police transported all three suspects, along with the seized evidence and the speedboat, to Laem Ngob Police Station for further investigation. Military and local administrative officials joined in inspecting and witnessing the counting of the ammunition.
In the latest development, Pol. Col. Joomphot Manyapha, Superintendent of Laem Ngob Police Station, together with investigators, is in the process of gathering evidence in order to press charges of possession and smuggling of war weapons into the Kingdom, while urgently expanding the investigation to identify the network and those behind the operation. Officials have not yet disclosed details of individuals who may be involved, out of concern that doing so could affect the case.
