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The total value of weapons found in 145 large boxes that weigh nearly 40 tonnes all up was estimated at around Bt600 million, the sources said.

No nuclear munitions or weapons of mass destruction were found on board, the sources added.

The weapons were unloaded from the Il-76 Kazakhstan-registered aircraft and transported to Takhli Air Force base in Nakhon Sawan province under tight security.

The rocket launchers were identified as an M-1985 model manufactured by North Korea although based on Soviet-era technology.

Another unconfirmed report said there were a number of Soviet-made rocket-propelled grenade launchers without munitions found on board, but no assault rifles of any type.

Information about the type of weapons on the plane cannot be confirmed until the results of an official joint inspection of the cargo yesterday afternoon, by six military and civilian agencies, is officially released.

The six agencies are the airforce and police ordnance departments, the Police Crime Suppression Division, the Attorney General's Office, National Intelligence Commission and the police Special Branch.

The five crew-members face charges of being in possession of explosives without permission in addition to a number of offences already filed against them, including smuggling weapons into Thailand.

The weapons will eventually be destroyed under a United Nations protocol after experts have confirmed what they are, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.

He said many west European countries had expressed interest in witnessing the inspection process.

Panitan said he was not sure if a bounty would be awarded to Thailand or local authorities who uncovered the weapons.

He said UN or local weapons inspectors could request travel and commodity expenses under normal procedures.

Asked to comment on any possible danger for Thailand for undertaking this action, he said Thailand merely followed a UN protocol and enforced its internal security laws.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said later Thailand may request UN funds for further inspection of the weapons. He said Thailand would work closely with the UN in handling the matter.

CSD deputy chief Pol Colonel Suphisal Phakdee-naruenart, who jointly inspected the weapons, said Sri Lanka was the next stop on the aircraft's flight log but further inquiries were being made to determine if that was the plane's real destination.