Police commandos seized weapons and ammunition from the home of ex-commerce minister Chaiya Sasomsap during a series of raids on 13 premises in Nakhom Pathom early Friday.
Police said the raids were in response to a wave of crime in the central province.
Pol Col Akkaradet Pimolsri, acting chief of the Crime Suppression Division, led a 20-strong commando force to search Mr Chaiya’s house around 5am.
Several firearms, ammunition, communication radios and a police bullet-proof vest were seized for examination to see whether they were lawfully acquired, Thai media reported on Friday.
Police invited the former commerce minister for questioning. They have neither detained nor pressed charges against him.
Mr Chaiya’s house was among 13 locations raided. More than 200 police commandos were involved in the operation.
Police also searched the home office of Thai Wutthipong Co on Ratmakkha Road in Muang district. The land leveling firm is operated by Ratthakorn Jaenkitnarong, alias ‘’MP Bae’’, a former Pheu Thai MP, who was in the office at the time of the raid.
A .38 calibre pistol, a wooden club and many car licence plates found in the office were taken away for examination. Mr Ratthakorn was also invited for questioning. No charges had been pressed against him.
National police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang recently signed orders suddently shunting 21 senior officers in Nakhon Pathom to the Royal Thai Police Office’s operations centre pending investigation.
The orders stated the transfers were in response to several violent incidents in Nakhon Pathom province, particularly on May 10 and May 19. No specific details were given.
Weapons, ammunition, a police bullet-proof vest and other items seized during a police raid on the house of former commerce minister Chaiya Sasomsap on May 29. (Photo by the Crime Suppression Division)