Two Youths Arrested for Secretly Purchasing Firearms Near Sathorn Roundabout, Claims Self-Defense
Two teenagers were arrested near Sathorn Roundabout in Bangkok with an illegal handgun, shotgun, and ammunition they claimed to have purchased online for self-defense.
On May 25, 2569, police officers led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Siam Bunserm, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, arrested two youths identified as Mr. A (alias), 16 years old, and Mr. B (alias), 15 years old, at a U-turn point on Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road in Thung Wat Don subdistrict, Sathorn district, Bangkok, around 3:40 a.m. on May 24th.
During a patrol of their assigned area, officers noticed a motorcycle parked suspiciously at the U-turn point and observed Mr. A emerging from nearby bushes on the median strip with a startled expression upon seeing police. Mr. B was found standing on the opposite side of the median. When questioned, both suspects consented to a search.
A thorough search of a gray backpack revealed a silver .38 caliber handgun in a black leather holster, three .38 rounds, five 12-gauge shotgun rounds hidden in a black waist bag, and a homemade shotgun concealed in the backpack.
Under interrogation, both suspects admitted to ordering all the weapons and ammunition from someone using the name "Gun Instructor Teacher" through Line for 5,000 baht. They claimed they arranged to receive the weapons at the location but were apprehended before completing the transaction. They stated they purchased the weapons for self-defense purposes.
Police charged both suspects with unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition without authorization, as well as illegally carrying firearms and ammunition in public areas without proper licensing or justification. They were transferred to Yannawa Police Station for further legal proceedings.
