Police arrested a couple for selling firearms online and seized 18 guns, ammunition and other items during a raid on a house in Bangkok early yesterday.
Officers from the Patrol and Special Operations and Division (also known as 191 Police) arrested Arthit Nanwisut, 24 and Maliwan Chanchana, 20, at their house in Bang Khae district.
They also seized 141 rounds of ammunition, 18 handguns, 60 gun barrels and other gun parts.
The couple were initially charged with the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and the illegal sale of firearms, said Pol Maj Gen Samran Nuanma, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Pol Maj Gen Somboon Thiankhao, commander of the 191 Police, said Pol Maj Gen Samran had assigned his division to crack down on illegal firearms.
He said investigators soon discovered the suspects were illegally selling firearms, including improvised Thai Pradit (Thai-made) guns and parts online.
The suspects had started a Facebook page, "Archao Samrong'', to display their products. The page drew about 2 million views and had 50,000 followers, Pol Maj Gen Somboon said.
The couple made about 70,000 baht a month from the online sale of illegal firearms and gun parts.
Police were running a check to see who had bought weapons from the couple and if any of the weapons sold have been used in any crimes.
Police have also charged the suspects with colluding to produce firearms (the Thai Pradit model) with intent to sell without permission; possessing firearms, gun parts and cartridges without permission and possessing Thai Pradit guns without a licence.
The firearms were confiscated and the two were being held in police custody at Lak Song police station.