Uncertainty lingers over the apparent theft of M16s

By The Nation
Published on March 6, 2011

Two men reported to be detained already, while a third has allegedly fled; PM says Army chief Prayuth is investigating

The Army is investigating the loss of more than 100 items of machine-guns and ammunition at the Thanarat Army barracks in Prachuab Khiri Khan province.

Army commander-in-chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ochar confirmed that the missing weapons were stolen with the help of "insiders" and that the Army was trying to recover those weapons.

According to informed sources, two Army personnel responsible for the weapons inventory were already in custody while another one left the Thanarat Army barracks immediately after the weapons were found to be missing.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the Army chief, is investigating the incident, adding that there was a possibility that the weapons were stolen for re-sale along the borders with neighbouring countries.

There have been weaknesses in the Army's weapons inventory
system, resulting in several incidents in which weapons were stolen in the past several years.
The premier said the Army chief had pledged to do his best in solving the problem.

Earlier, Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that it remained unclear if those weapons were already missing or there was an error in inventory management.

Also earlier, officials from the major Army camp told the Pranburi police station in this province southwest of Bangkok that the weapons, including 130 M16 machine-guns, pistols and ammunition, could not be accounted for.

However, police were later informed that there could be an inventory error and that all the missing weapons were still intact.

Col Sansern said it was possible that the weapons were really missing or just sent to be repaired or on loans to other Army units.