PATTAYA, THAILAND – Police in South Pattaya detained a Chinese national after seizing two handguns and ammunition during a search of an apartment complex.
Public tip led to apartment raid
On 16 January 2026, at around 3 p.m., Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyu, head of the Pattaya City Police Station, ordered a search of an apartment building on South Pattaya Road. Authorities had earlier received a complaint about suspicious behavior by several Chinese residents in the complex. Police Lieutenant Colonel Siriwat Katchamat, deputy head of crime suppression, led the operation and entered a ground-floor room where two Chinese men were present.
Two pistols and ammunition seized
Officers identified themselves, checked the men’s passports and visas, and then searched the apartment. They found two 9mm pistols – a SIG SAUER P365 and a KHAR CW9 – along with 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Both men were initially arrested and taken to the Pattaya City Police Station for questioning.
Suspect silent over origin and purpose of weapons
According to investigators, the weapons and ammunition were believed to belong to 39-year-old Chinese national Xiwen Pang. Police stated that Pang did not hold a valid firearms license and had so far refused to clarify the origin or intended use of the guns.
“He has so far provided no information about the origin or the purpose of the weapons,”
said police investigators.
Formal charges and ongoing investigation
Authorities filed formal charges of “possession of firearms and ammunition without proper authorization” under applicable law. Pang remained in police custody while investigators prepared the case for criminal proceedings. The second Chinese man was released after officers confirmed his lawful entry and residence documents and found no grounds to suspect him of a crime.
Strict gun laws and possible wider network
Officials emphasized that the country’s gun laws were very strict and that illegal possession of weapons was punished with severe penalties. The same regulations applied to foreign nationals and Thai citizens alike. In parallel, police examined whether the seized pistols might be linked to a wider network or intended for further offences, noting that
“The investigations are ongoing,”
said the responsible officers, while stating that there were initially no concrete indications of additional suspects.