Pattaya, Thailand – November 5th, 2025– In a pre-dawn operation, Pattaya police and local administrative officials arrested a 27-year-old man running an illegal firearm manufacturing operation from a rented room, where he modified blank-firing guns into live weapons and sold them online for 13,000 baht each.
Acting on a tip from an informant, a joint task force led by Pol. Col. Anek Sarathongyu, chief of Pattaya City Police Station; Pol. Lt. Col. Siriwat Katchamart, deputy chief of suppression; Pol. Lt. Col. Suchart Dusadee, head of the patrol unit; and Nathaphop Yomchinda, chief district officer of Bang Lamung, executed Search Warrant No. 218/2568 issued by Pattaya Provincial Court on November 4th.
At 6:36 a.m., officers stormed Room 14 at 62/157 Soi Kopai 14. Inside, they found Chatchawan Inmongkol, alias “M,” 27, from Sisaket province, with his girlfriend. A thorough search uncovered:
– Three modified Thai-made handguns converted from blank guns
– 42 rounds of .380 ACP ammunition (9 in a magazine, 33 in a box)
– More than 10 gun barrels
– Drill press, electric drill, bench grinder, vise, and files
Two additional firearms were later found hidden in the bathroom ceiling.
Chatchawan confessed to police that he was the sole owner and manufacturer of the weapons. He learned the modification techniques from online tutorials, ordered parts via e-commerce platforms, and sold finished guns through social media and messaging apps.
Shockingly, he bragged to officers: “Every gun I make is 100% guaranteed to fire like a real factory firearm.” He admitted several modified weapons had already been delivered to customers, primarily local teenagers.
Authorities seized all evidence and transported Chatchawan to Pattaya City Police Station. He faces charges of illegal possession, manufacture, modification, and sale of firearms and ammunition—offenses carrying severe penalties under Thailand’s Firearms Act.
Police are now tracing online transactions and customer records to identify buyers and prevent the weapons from circulating further.
