Cops seize weapons in Don Muang prior to Asean meet

Cops seize weapons in Don Muang prior to Asean meet

City police chief Pol Lt Gen Phukphong Phongpetra, left, and senior officers inspect one of the 35 illegal weapons seized during a security sweep. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
City police chief Pol Lt Gen Phukphong Phongpetra, left, and senior officers inspect one of the 35 illegal weapons seized during a security sweep. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

Police have seized 35 guns and made 30 arrests in a security sweep of Don Muang ahead of the 35th Asean Summit in Bangkok next month. Thailand is this year's chair of the regional bloc.

Metropolitan Police Division 2 conducted the raids in communities from Oct 10 to 16, Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Phukphong Phongpetra said on Friday.

Twenty five of the firearms confiscated were unregistered, while 487 rounds of ammunition were also seized.

In August, 52nd Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was marred when several small bombs rattled the capital.

Pol Lt Gen Phukphong said security officials have tightened safety checks across the capital, to ensure that the November 2-4 Asean meet passes off glitch-free.

Deputy national police chief Suwat Chaengyotsuk earlier said up to 10,000 police officers will be deployed to secure the summit.

Next month's summit is seen as key as it is the year's final meeting of world leaders under the Asean umbrella.

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