DSI uncovers mystery arms cache in Surin

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Thursday announced the seizure of a large quantity of firearms and ammunition in the northeastern border province of Surin.

The authority would speedily investigate the case and arrest the influential group behind the cache, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit told a press conference.

Following an Army Region 2 and a Border-Patrol Police investigation into an exchange of weapons in Prasat district last December, officials searched the Muang Mai Market. Hidden among high grass they found - 36 anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades (RPG7), 36 RPG7 propellant sticks, 64 rounds of 60mm mortar shells, 144 M79 and M203 grenades, and 1,437 rounds of ammunition for SKS rifles.

The authority was investigating if the weapons were for violent attacks within Thailand or for sale to a third country. Tharit said this case had nothing to do with the Iranian suspects' Sukhumvit area bombs or the political turmoil in 2010.

He declined to comment further on the investigation, except to reveal the seller and the buyer were both Thais.

The Nation