BANGKOK, Thailand – Police arrested a 55-year-old man after he was found driving under the influence with a loaded 9mm handgun inside his vehicle during an alcohol checkpoint on Rama 9 Road early on July 19. The incident occurred at around 1:44 a.m. at an alcohol inspection checkpoint in front of the parking building of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) on Rama 9 Road in Huai Khwang district. Traffic police officers stopped a white Honda passenger car driven by the suspect. Officers noticed signs of intoxication, including unclear speech, red eyes, and a strong smell of alcohol, before conducting a breath alcohol test.
The test showed an alcohol level of 141 milligrams per cent, exceeding the legal limit. During the inspection, officers found a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and nine rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle near the passenger seat, within easy reach of the driver. The suspect was unable to present a firearm carrying permit or provide a valid reason for carrying the weapon in a public area. Police seized the handgun and ammunition as evidence. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, carrying a firearm in a public area without permission and without necessary justification, and possessing a weapon in a public place without reasonable cause. Police said the suspect acknowledged the charges and confessed during questioning before being taken with the seized items to Makkasan Police Station for further legal proceedings.
