The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has ordered an investigation into tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and grenades missing from a Marine Corps armoury at the Sattahip naval base.
Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin, the RTN spokesman, said today (Saturday) that the disappearance of the ammunition, including M855 and M856 rounds and 40mm grenades, was discovered on July 5th during a routine inventory check at the barracks of the First Marine Regiment.
Investigators have checked CCTV footage and have discovered that one ordnance officer had opened the door of the armoury several times, using a spare key, and had stolen the ammunition.
Admiral Pokkrong said that the suspect has been absent from work since July 6th, adding that a complaint was filed with Plutaluang police in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri on July 7th.
The ammunition was first exposed as missing on the webpage of “CSI LA”, which came to fame when it exposed the expensive wrist watches seen on the wrist of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan several years ago.
CSI LA also questioned why a large amount of ammunition went missing as fighting raged in Myanmar between government troops and anti-government rebel forces.
Admiral Pokkrong warned the media that raising such suspicions may lead to public misunderstanding and affect the relationship between Thailand and Myanmar.
