BANGKOK, Thailand – A 50-year-old Chinese man was arrested outside a hotel in Bangkok’s Wang Thonglang district after police allegedly found a revolver and 4.8 grams of methamphetamine in his possession, while immigration records showed he had overstayed his permission to remain in Thailand by 586 days.
Police from Wang Thonglang Police Station and Immigration Bureau officers arrested the man at about 4 p.m. on September 23 outside a hotel in Soi Lat Phrao 122, Soi 15, in Phlapphla, Wang Thonglang. The operation followed a tip from a local resident who reported seeing a man believed to be Chinese sitting suspiciously outside the hotel. The informant also told police the man appeared to have previously carried a firearm in the area, raising concerns about public safety.
When officers arrived, they found a man matching the description and asked to search him. He was reportedly unable to produce a passport or other identification documents. Police searched a black shoulder bag he was carrying and allegedly found a revolver hidden inside. Officers then brought him to Wang Thonglang Police Station for a more detailed search in his presence.
A further search of his luggage allegedly uncovered 4.8 grams of methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth or “ice,” concealed in a metal box together with drug-use equipment.
The suspect was taken to hospital for a urine test, which confirmed the presence of drugs in his system. During questioning through a Chinese interpreter, the man allegedly told police that he bought the methamphetamine from a Chinese male acquaintance for 5,000 baht. He reportedly claimed another Chinese acquaintance, who has since returned to China, gave him the revolver.
Immigration checks then revealed that the man had remained in Thailand for 586 days beyond the period authorised under his immigration permission. Police charged him with five offences: illegal possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm in a town, village or public way without reasonable cause, unlawful possession of a Category 1 narcotic, drug use, and remaining in Thailand after his immigration permission had expired.
He was taken into legal proceedings with the seized items, while authorities said he would subsequently face deportation from Thailand. The arrest resulted from cooperation between Wang Thonglang police and Immigration Bureau officers following information provided by a member of the public.
