An Australian who was stopped at the Samui airport with a gun and 96 rounds claimed to have purchased the weapon for self-defense from a Thai on Koh Samui.
Around 1pm on Wednesday, Australian citizen Mark Bassal, 41, was detained at the island’s airport, according to authorities.
After an X-ray revealed pieces of a gun-like object in some of the seven luggage he and his family were transporting, he was detained.
Mr. Bassal was detained by immigration agents and local police and accused of illegally possessing ammunition and firearm parts. They took the 96 cartridges and the rifle parts.
Mr. Bassal allegedly said, when questioned, that he had purchased the firearm and ammo from a Thai man at a store in Bophut, Koh Samui. He claimed it was for traveling self-defense.
The man, who was traveling with his wife and their three children, was still being questioned by police. They had tickets for an international Thai Airways aircraft that would take them from Samui to Suvarnabhumi.
At this point, police claimed they had not discovered any proof that the suspect was a criminal or mafia figure or that he intended to use the weapon to commit a crime.
Pattayaone says with heightened security around the world it is always a good idea to approach the customs first and tell them if you may not be sure about bringing sensitive items through any airport.
