Police Find 'Stolen' Handgun On Anti-Govt Protester

(4 January) Police said they have arrested an anti-government protester who was carrying a handgun stolen from a police officer during the clashes in Bangkok last week.

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Mr. Sura Khaonet, 31, was stopped by police patrols in Bangkok′s Bang Plad district yesterday after the officers noticed him acting suspiciously at a bus stop on Charansanitwong Road.
 
He identified himself as a security guard at the anti-government protests. Police then searched his belongings and found a pistol, which Mr. Sura explained he has acquired from his fellow volunteer guard, Private Kitti Mahaglan, 21. 
 
Mr. Sura, a resident of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, claimed he has taken the bag from Private Kitti and realised later that a gun was left inside. He told police he intended to sell the handgun to his friend who lives on Rama II Road, but he somehow took the wrong bus and ended up being arrested in Bang Plad.
 
Police has charged Mr. Sura with carrying firearms in public without any permission.
 
Despite the suspect′s attempt to erase the gun’s identification number, further investigation indicated revealed that the gun belongs to Pol.Col. Chukiat Wongsitthikorn, who reportedly lost his sidearm as he was assaulted by anti-government protesters at the clashes around Thai-Japan Stadium on 26 December 2013.
 
Police said Pol.Col. Chukiat, a Deputy Chief of Nakhon Sawan Provincial Police Station, had previously filed complaint about his stolen handgun at Din Daeng Police Station.
 
 

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