Guns, bombs seized in raid on house in Chiang Mai

Police yesterday found 6,000 home-made "ping-pong" bombs as well as eight guns from a raid at a house owned by man linked to the red shirts, in Chiang Mai.

The owner of the house in Chom Thong district, identified as 45-year-old Narong Bunchongcharoen, was arrested for the illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.

However, he rejected the charges, arguing that the ping-pong bombs were actually fireworks that he meant to sell at his shop during the Loy Krathong festival earlier this month.

As for the six pistols, a rifle and shotgun found, the man claimed they had been given to him in lieu of debts.

A police source said initial investigations had shown that the man was known to have traded in weapons and ammunition, and had also acted as a security guard during the last red-shirt rally in Chiang Mai.

While the suspect was being interrogated, two men in red shirts were seen outside the police station, reportedly making phone calls to their leaders in Bangkok.

On Wednesday night, police also raided a karaoke bar in Chiang Mai's Muang district and found 22 home-made guns, ammunition as well as a large amount of gun-making equipment.

When police arrested Silpa Chaichana, 45, for illegally possessing those weapons, he said he was making guns to sell.

Region 5 police commissioner Lt-General Somkid Boonthanom, whose jurisdiction covers Chiang Mai, told the press yesterday that the arrests were part of security measures ahead of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit.

Abhisit yesterday cancelled his plan to visit Chiang Mai on Sunday to preside over the closing ceremony of the annual conference of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, more than 100 red shirts rallied outside Chiang Mai's Muang district police station yesterday to protest against the provincial court issuing an arrest warrant for local red-shirt leader, Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul.

Petchawat is accused of making threats to assassinate the prime minister on a community radio programme.

The protest leaders also took turns in verbally attacking the top three local police officers - Somkid, Chiang Mai police commander Maj-General Sommai Kongwisaisuk and Muang police station superintendent Colonel Yuthachai Puaprasert - and demanded that they be transferred.

The attack, broadcast on a local community radio station controlled by the red shirts, also targeted the prime minister, the government and Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda.

The anti-government leaders are also threatening to protest outside the home of Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce president Narong Krongprasert, who said the rallies would affect the local economy, as well as at the residence of Chiang Mai Governor Amornpan Nimanun, who had boosted security in anticipation of the PM's visit.



Ping-pong bombs

A ping-pong bomb is a type of home-made explosive. It is widely used to make noise during seasonal festivities. These devices have become better known recently after they were used in street protests following 2006 coup.

The "bomb" can be made easily by putting gunpowder into a ping-pong ball and sealed with aluminium foil or clay. They can be ignited by fire or just by throwing it to hit a solid surface.

The detonation method can be designed according to a person's intent. Both methods are equally risky for users.

If a ping-pong bomb can badly damage someone's hand if it explodes while they hold it.