Thirty-seven drivers of passenger vans were arrested and numerous weapons, including knives, axes and a pistol were seized during a search of van queues around Victory Monument in Bangkok on Friday.
Police and soldiers searched nine locations around Victory Monument where passenger van queues were operating. They found 75 items including 28 knives, two axes, three wooden batons, a baseball bat, a 9mm pistol, nine rounds of ammunition, two bags of krathom leaves and one communication radio.
The drivers of the 37 vans were asked to undergo urine tests for illicit drugs and two tested positive. All 37 drivers were taken to Phaya Thai and Din Daeng police station for legal action.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, acting chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the search followed tips that some drivers of public vehicles, trucks and taxis often carried weapons that could be used in violent acts. Many drivers claim the weapons are only for self-defence.