Probe ordered into large amount of missing Navy ammunition

[reader]

As political tensions rise while senators deliberate the fate of Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat in his quest to become Thailand’s next prime minister, the Navy has admitted that tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and grenades are missing from a Marine Corps armoury at the Sattahip naval base.

From Thai PBS World:

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 6^th, adding that a complaint was filed with Plutaluang police in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri on July 7^th.

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.

[reader]

Navy to sack officer accused of ammo thefts

From Bangkok Post

The navy has decided to sack an officer for prolonged absence from work amid allegations that he had stolen large quantities of ammunition from a naval base in Chon Buri.

The officer has been absent without leave since July 5, Royal Thai Navy spokesman Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin said on Thursday. The navy will propose his dismissal to the Defence Ministry and seek a warrant for his arrest from the military court, he added.

Sources said he was a chief petty officer second class, supervising an arsenal at the Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri.

Adm Pokkrong said that a search at the suspect’s house on Wednesday found stolen cartridges, which proved that the officer at large had stolen rounds of ammunition from the base.

It was reported earlier that the base had lost tens of thousands of M855 and M856 bullets for 5.56mm rifles and thousands of 40mm grenade launcher rounds.

Adm Pokkrong said financial transactions indicated that the thefts had taken place over a long period of time.

The suspect has turned off all his communication devices and is believed to be hiding in the country, the navy spokesman said.