North Korean plane impounded, tons of weapons seized

Government Spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn declined to reveal where the plane was from and its its destination, saying Thai authorities are investigating the five men reportedly from Belarus and Kazakhstan.

A TV footage showed military trucks believed to be loaded with the confiscated weapons left Don Muang Airport. The footage also showed the grounded plane.

Thai TV reported that the weapons were transferred in the military trucks to a depot in Nakhon Sawan.

Panithan said the impound of the plane was the result of cooperation between Thai and foreign  intelligence units.

Earlier Deutsche Presse Agentur reported that Thai authorities on Saturday impounded a North Korean airplane that was found to be carrying war weapons, officials confirmed.

The pilot of the airplane had requested an emergency landing at Bangkok's Don Muang Airport to refuel. Authorities impounded the craft and detained four pilots and crew members after finding war weapons on board, according to the officials.

'This action was in keeping with the relevant UN National Security Council resolutions,' Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Thani Thingpakdi said.

He added that the matter was now under the supervision of the Thai police who would provide further details later Saturday.