Teen arrested in Bangkok with homemade gun for self-defence

Police in Saimai apprehended a 16 year old boy found carrying a firearm on the side of the road. He claimed he was carrying the weapon for self-defence. A background check revealed previous charges of assault and attempted murder.

At 9pm, yesterday, August 21, Police Colonel Rangsan Sonsing, Superintendent of Saimai Police Station, along with Deputy Superintendent Sanchai Sirirat and Inspector Nukun Kingklao, held a press conference to announce the arrest of the boy, identified as Puen.

Officers seized a homemade .38 calibre pen gun, two .38 calibre bullets, and a nine-inch metal scraper from him. The arrest occurred on the roadside near Khlong Song in Khlong Thanon, Saimai district, Bangkok.

This operation followed orders from Police Major General Atthapol Anusit, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, instructing officers to patrol their areas to prevent crimes against life, body, and property, and to curb conflicts among students and teenagers.

While on patrol, the Rapid Response Unit noticed a lone teenager standing suspiciously on the roadside. Upon seeing the officers, he appeared nervous, prompting them to search.

They found the pen gun tucked into his waistband, loaded with one bullet, and another bullet clutched in his hand. Puen confessed to not attending school and frequently getting into fights with other teenagers. He said he bought the gun and ammunition for 1,200 baht (US$35) from a Facebook group to protect himself, reported KhaoSod.

Further investigation revealed Puen had a criminal record, including charges of assault, possession of a firearm, and an outstanding warrant for attempted murder. The police have charged him with possessing an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and carrying a firearm in public without a valid reason. He has been taken into custody for legal proceedings.

In related news, police apprehended a suspicious man at Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal after a metal detector revealed he was carrying a homemade gun. The suspect, identified as 43 year old Thanet from Samut Prakan, was found with a .38 calibre gun and six bullets.