The theft at an Army arsenal in Phatthalung province might be an insider's job.
The authorities are persuing leads to determine whether the stolen weapons might have been destined for the insurgency in the south or for the red shirts, government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Sunday yesterday.
A large number of weapon disappeared from the 4th Army Engineering Battalion, which reports to the 4th Army Region, and a police complaint was filed since Thursday.
"Based on how the theft happened, culprits must be very familiar with the arsenal," Panitan said.
Meanwhile Fourth Army Region's commander Lt Gen Pichet Wisaijorn visited the 4th Army Engineering Battlion to gather information relating to the theft.
Following the theft, security at the site was tightened including screening all vehicles coming in and out the area.
A police source said that about 3,000 ammunitions of rifles; M-16, AK-16, as well as 20 grenades were stolen.
