Chonburi, Thailand – Senior Thai police authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the discovery of a large cache of military grade firearms, ammunition, grenades, landmines, explosive vests, and high-powered explosives found in the possession of a 31-year-old Chinese national in Sattahip district near Pattaya, with the case now being examined from every angle due to potential implications for national security.
The suspect, identified as Mingchen Sun (or Ming Chen Sun), was initially detained after he was involved in a single-vehicle accident in which his sedan overturned in the Na Jomtien area of Sattahip. Police searching the vehicle discovered a handgun and magazines, prompting a raid on his rented residence in a soi off Huay Yai.
During the search, authorities uncovered a significant arsenal including military-grade weapons, grenades, bullet proof vests, landmines, booby traps, and explosives including explosive vests. The operation drew high-level attention, with Pol Lt Gen Pongphan Wongmanithet, Commander of Chonburi Provincial Police, personally visiting the scene on the evening of May 8th, 2026, to oversee proceedings.
Speaking to reporters, Pol Lt Gen Pongphan revealed that Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, the Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General (known as “Big Tai”), has directed a thorough investigation covering all dimensions of the case, with particular focus on national security and public safety implications.“We are investigating every aspect, including national security concerns,” he said. Details regarding the explosives and potential motives remain limited to avoid compromising the case. Police are still tracing the origin of the weapons and explosives and have not yet identified any specific links to planned attacks.
Authorities have invited forensic psychiatrists to evaluate the suspect, who is reported to suffer from depression, to determine his mental state. Multiple specialized units are involved in the probe, including investigators from Police Region 2, Chonburi Provincial Investigation Division, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, Immigration Police, the Chinese Embassy, and national security agencies.
Suspect’s Background
Mingchen Sun had been renting the house for approximately two years at a monthly rate of 38,000 baht. Records show he first entered Thailand in 2020 on a tourist visa and has since made frequent trips in and out of the country. His most recent entry was on January 27th, 2026, using an elite visa, which permits long-term stays of up to five years for eligible holders.
The suspect holds multiple passports from China and Cambodia and even Dominica with what appears to be an investment related passport, a pink Thai non-citizen ID card, and is registered as a resident at an address in Khlong Sam Wa, Bangkok. He also reportedly has a Thai national ID number and previously lived in Chiang Mai province. Police are continuing to verify these details and how he obtained these passports, IDs, and other documents.Items Seized
From the vehicle:
– 1 Glock 26 handgun
– 2 Glock 26 magazines
– 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition
– 1 M16 magazine
– 28 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
– 1 additional magazineFrom the residence:
– 2 M16 assault rifles
– 9 M16 magazines
– 763 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition
– C4 plastic explosives totaling approximately 4,832.4 grams (including 1 box weighing 2,486.4g and 2 bars weighing 1,173g)
– 4 Russian POMZ-2 anti-personnel mines
– 4 BA/WA hand grenades
– 1 Korean K75 hand grenade
– 1 Burmese M6/01 hand grenade
– 7 electric detonators
– 3 PONZ-2 mine fuzes
– 2 POMZ-2 safety pins
– 2 remote control transmitter-receiver sets
– 3 bulletproof vests
– 2 gas masks
– 6 gas mask filters
– 4 jerry cans of gasoline (20 liters each)Neighbors described Sun as friendly and polite, often greeting residents warmly. One local resident, who declined to be named, expressed shock at the discovery, saying the presence of C4 and other explosives in a residential area could have endangered the entire village if detonated.
Police stated that the investigation is ongoing and promised to update the public on any significant developments. The case continues to raise concerns about illegal arms trafficking and potential threats to public safety in the popular eastern seaboard province.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
