Pattaya – Thai authorities maintained strict security measures on Saturday as they escorted a 31-year-old Chinese national, arrested after a car crash uncovered military grade weapons and a large cache of explosives, to Pattaya Provincial Court for detention. Immigration police immediately revoked his five year elite visa.
Mingchen Sun (also referred to as Sun Mingchen), a Chinese national who also holds a Cambodian passport and Dominica Passport and a pink Thai ID card for non-nationals, was taken from police custody in Chonburi under heavy escort early on May 9th, 2026. He appeared calm and spoke little during processing before being remanded.
The case began on the evening of May 8th when Sun’s sedan flipped over after hitting a barrier on a road near Na Jomtien, Sattahip district. Police discovered a handgun and magazines inside the vehicle. A search of his rented house in the Maple Village, Huai Yai subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, revealed a substantial arsenal, prompting an evacuation of nearby residents due to safety concerns. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams safely neutralized the devices.
Seized items included:
– Two M4/M16-style assault rifles and multiple magazines.
– Over 4.8 kg of C4 plastic explosives, some rigged inside bulletproof vests with remote detonators, resembling suicide vests.
– Numerous anti-personnel grenades (including Russian POMZ-2 types, Korean K75, and others), detonators, and booby-trap components.
– Hundreds of rounds of 5.56mm and 9mm ammunition, gas masks, and cans of gasoline.
-Signal jammers
Sun reportedly told investigators he bought the weapons via a private LINE group in Rayong province and intended to use the explosives for a solo bombing due to depression. He denies being a terrorist or tied to terrorist groups. However, police are investigating all angles, including possible links to criminal networks or security threats. His phone reportedly contained chats with ChatGPT about explosive effects and bomb-making, plus videos of him allegedly training with weapons at a Cambodian special forces camp (BHQ).
A female Taiwanese companion, aged 33, was with him at the time of the crash but has not been linked to the weapons. She was reportedly a tour guide acquaintance.
Immigration authorities have revoked Sun’s long-term elite visa and placed him on a blacklist for deportation after legal proceedings conclude. He had entered Thailand multiple times since 2020 and had been renting the house for about two years at 38,000 baht per month.
Chonburi MP Comments
Mr. Thanathorn Pramoolpong, Chonburi MP for the People’s Party reacted strongly on social media this morning. He pointed out the case as evidence of deeper problems with “Thai grey” nominees and foreign criminal networks operating in Thailand.
“Thailand must be a safe place for its people and tourists, not a paradise for transnational criminals or terrorists,” he posted. He stressed that no foreign mafia could operate without Thai facilitators clearing paths, opening accounts, or holding assets on their behalf, and called on the government to urgently establish a national centre to combat foreign crime and Thai enablers, with better data-sharing across agencies.
Police continue a multi-agency investigation involving national security units, with senior officers emphasising thorough checks on the origins of the weapons and any broader threats. The suspect’s mental health will also be assessed.
The case has heightened concerns over illegal arms trafficking and national security in the Pattaya-Chonburi tourist region. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
