Thalang defense volunteer charged for illegal possession of a firearm

PHUKET: A Thalang defense volunteer was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition after being pulled over at a checkpoint in Phuket.

Krit Meesit, 52, wearing military trousers and a black shirt with “Royal Thai Marine Corps” written across it, was stopped at a checkpoint on Nanai Road in Patong at about 2am yesterday.

“The man presented us with a Thalang defense volunteer license. Inside the vehicle, we found a 9mm handgun and 12 rounds of ammunition under the front passenger seat,” Patong Police Deputy Superintendent Akanit Danpitaksat told the Phuket Gazette.

Mr Krit, who claimed to be a hotel staffer, did not have a license to carry the gun, but told police that it belonged to his brother, said Lt Col Akanit.

“He said he borrowed the car and had no idea the gun was there,” Lt Col Akanit said.

Mr Krit was charged with illegal possession of a gun and ammunition in a public place.

— Thawit Bilabdullar