Drinker caught with live grenade

PHUKET TOWN: Sa-eak Chu-on, 24, from Trang, was arrested on Saturday night for being in possession of a live hand grenade while drinking in a restaurant on Si Sena Rd. Pol Sub Lt Wiwat Chamnarnkit, of Phuket Town Police Station, today told the Gazette that he was on routine patrol when he entered Nimit 2 restaurant and pub in search of underage drinkers. “At first I didn’t notice anything unusual, but then I saw a group of young men drinking in a dimly lit area of the venue. I told the manager to turn on the lights and proceeded to check out the group,” said Sub Lt Wiwat. He then asked one of the men to hand over his rucksack so he could inspect it. “When Sa-eak refused to hand over his bag, I had to grab it from him,” he said. To Sub Lt Wiwat’s amazement, inside the bag was a live M26 hand grenade. The three men were taken to Phuket Town Police Station for questioning. The two who were drinking with Sa-eak were later released without charge. Sa-eak, however, was charged with possession of war weapons and is now awaiting trial. He has yet to explain to police why he had the grenade.