BANGKOK — 12 May 2026, Thai police revealed evidence and financial records clearly link Chinese-Cambodian suspect, Mingchen Sun, to Cambodian scam networks, while insisting there is no indication he planned terrorist attacks in Thailand.

On May 12, at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police, provided an update on the investigation after Mingchen Sun was involved in a vehicle rollover accident in Chon Buri province that led authorities to uncover a cache of military-grade weapons at his residence. Police later raided properties linked to the suspect and seized explosives, including C4, M16 assault rifles and numerous grenades.

Significant progress has been made in this case. Trairong said forensic and digital evidence, including chat records, weapons training images and evidence of arms accumulation since late last year, obviously showed clear links between the suspect and scam syndicates operating in Cambodia. Investigators believe the weapons were intended for use in violent conflicts between rival scam gangs.

Trairong continued that based on current evidence, there are no indications that the suspect or his network aimed to carry out sabotage or attacks against Thai citizens. Police also dismissed the suspect’s claim that he suffered from depression and collected weapons with suicidal intentions, saying investigators would rely primarily on forensic evidence for the legal proceedings even though it is within the suspect’s right to provide such testimony.

Regarding the financial investigation, the Cyber Police has been tasked with tracing the suspect’s financial transactions in detail. Authorities found tens of millions of baht circulating through bank and cryptocurrency accounts allegedly linked directly to scam operations in Cambodia.

Trairong said police are also expanding the investigation into companies previously registered by the suspect and his former wife, as well as the circumstances surrounding their marriage registration to uncover any further links to the broader criminal network.

Concerning the suspect’s legal status and entry into the country, Trairong indicated that following the investigation, Sun entered Thailand legally using both Chinese and Cambodian passports and held a PE (Privilege Entry) visa designed for wealthy foreign nationals. Investigators also found he possessed long-term residency status in South Korea.

Trairong added that the Royal Thai Police will use this case as a lesson to be learned for future prevention. Authorities are considering closer coordination between security data integration and agencies responsible for visa issuance, including the possible introduction of a scoring system for foreign nationals to prevent criminals from exploiting investment-based privileges to enter the country. As for the 2,000-baht bribery scandal for illegal Pink Card (identification for non-Thai nationals) registration, he clarified that it was an act of personal misconduct by certain officials, promising decisive legal action against them.

Police said regarding the expansion of the investigation, a total of six suspects have so far been identified in the case, including state officials allegedly involved in illegally selling Glock pistols to unqualified buyers. The Metropolitan Police have already launched a dual disciplinary and criminal investigation into the matter. While authorities are also tracing the origins of the military-grade weapons, such as the M16 rifle and explosives. Although traffickers attempted to erase serial numbers from firearms, investigators said they had already identified the source of at least one weapon and were continuing to investigate smuggling routes.

Trairong stressed that Thailand was not a base for transnational criminal organisations or grey Chinese capital networks, but acknowledged that the country’s location near neighbouring scam compounds and its status as a tourism hub made it vulnerable to exploitation by criminal groups. Thai authorities are now coordinating with both China and Cambodia to dismantle the networks, while insisting there has been no foreign interference in Thailand’s sovereignty.

National police chief, Kitrat Phanphet, has ordered all relevant agencies to use the case to strengthen monitoring and screening measures for high-risk foreign nationals, from entry procedures to long-term residence controls to ensure the highest level of safety and security for the nation and Thai citizens.

“As the suspect recently suffered seizures and severe shock after allegedly refusing food for three days while detained at Pattaya Remand Prison, requiring emergency hospital treatment. Authorities said now his condition has stabilised, but he remains under 24-hour guard by special commando units,” Trairong said.

Trairong added that the suspect is currently under the custody of the Department of Corrections. Therefore, any medical updates should come directly from them. The National Police Chief is closely monitoring the situation and has demanded the highest level of security and supervision, while acknowledging the suspect’s fundamental right to receive necessary medical care. Addressing concerns that the suspect’s depression might be a tactic to escape prosecution, Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong clarified that although medical records were found, investigators aren’t fully convinced. While the suspect is free to make medical excuses, the prosecution will rely heavily on digital evidence and chat logs to prove the facts. He emphasized that the police’s investigative methods are sophisticated enough to see through any deceptive claims, assuring the public that justice will not be derailed by the suspect’s narrative.

Responding to criticism that the weapons haul was a fluke resulting from a car crash, stating that credit must go to the sharp-witted First Responders. He emphasized that these officers went beyond standard procedures for a traffic accident, spotting suspicious signs that led to the discovery of the stash. This prevented a potential attack abroad. The case will now be used to train other units.

He further addressed concerns that the police rushed to conclude the investigation on the first day, potentially damaging public trust. He reaffirmed that the Royal Thai Police never rushes its conclusions. Every step of the investigation, the filing of charges, and the information released to the public have been strictly based on evidence, following a transparent and meticulous process.