Police in Thailand have arrested two Chinese nationals after a car accident in the Pattaya area allegedly led officers to uncover a large cache of military-grade weapons, explosives and tactical equipment inside a rented house.
The case has drawn major attention across Thailand due to the discovery of C4 explosives, assault rifles and ammunition typically associated with military operations and terror-related activities.
Authorities said the incident began on the evening of 8 May when a white sedan reportedly lost control and overturned along a road in Huay Yai subdistrict in Chonburi province during rainy weather conditions.
Police believe slippery roads may have contributed to the crash.
Police Discover Handgun Inside Vehicle
Officers from Huay Yai Police Station arrived at the accident scene and reportedly found two Chinese nationals inside the overturned vehicle.
The suspects were identified as Ma Yu Hsih and Sun Mingchen.
During an inspection of the vehicle, police allegedly discovered a handgun inside the car, prompting officers to detain both individuals for questioning.
Investigations later expanded to a rented property located within a housing estate in Pattaya, where authorities uncovered what police described as a significant cache of weapons and explosives.
Items seized reportedly included two M4 rifles, loaded magazines, detonators, hand grenades, ammunition and several bulletproof vests.
Investigators also claimed tactical vests discovered at the property were packed with C4 explosive material.
Thai authorities have since seized all recovered items for forensic examination and further investigation.
Suspects Allegedly Claimed Weapons Were For Collection
According to Thai police, the suspects allegedly told investigators that the firearms and explosives had been purchased through social media channels before being delivered from Rayong province.
The men reportedly claimed the weapons were intended for personal collection purposes.
However, investigators said they remained unconvinced due to the nature of the seized equipment, particularly the military-grade explosives and combat-style rifles.
Police noted that C4 is a highly powerful explosive commonly associated with military operations, bomb attacks and terrorism-related incidents.
Authorities also revealed that ammunition recovered from the house included 5.56mm M193 rounds, typically used in assault rifles.
Suspect Allegedly Mentioned Suicide Bombing Plan
During questioning, Sun Mingchen, 31, allegedly claimed he previously operated a liquor business in Cambodia before relocating to Thailand following regional border tensions.
Thai investigators said the suspect also allegedly mentioned suffering from depression and claimed he intended to carry out a suicide bombing.
Authorities stressed that no confirmed link to any planned attack has been established so far, though investigations remain ongoing.
Thailand’s national police chief reportedly ordered an intensive probe into all possible security threats connected to the case, including the origins of the weapons and the suspects’ movements within the country.
Authorities Investigating Multiple Identity Documents
Investigators further revealed that the suspect allegedly possessed multiple forms of identification, including Chinese and Cambodian passports, as well as a Thai pink identification card commonly issued to non-Thai nationals residing in Thailand.
Police also discovered records linking the suspect to a registered address in Bangkok and a Thai 13-digit identification number.
Authorities are currently verifying the legality of the documents and how they were obtained.
Residents living near the rented Pattaya property reportedly expressed shock after learning explosives had allegedly been stored within the neighbourhood.
One resident said villagers feared a devastating disaster could have occurred if the C4 devices had detonated accidentally.
The case has since intensified concerns in Thailand over illegal firearms trafficking, transnational crime networks, immigration loopholes and regional security risks involving foreign criminal groups operating within Southeast Asia.