16-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The Thai navy has launched an investigation into an ordnance officer suspected of stealing a large quantity of cartridges from its arsenal in the Sattahip naval base, according to navy spokesman Admiral Pokkrong Monthatphalin.
The investigation comes in response to allegations made on the popular CSI-LA Facebook page, run by a Thai expatriate in the US. The page claimed that tens of thousands of M855 and M856 cartridges, along with thousands of 40mm grenade launcher rounds, have gone missing from the navy’s warehouse in Sattahip.
Navy Chief Admiral Choengchai Chomchoengpaet has ordered a thorough investigation into the theft, which was reported to the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) on July 5. An inspection of the arsenal is currently underway at the Phra Maha Jetsadaratchao naval camp.
Admiral Pokkrong stated that a significant quantity of ammunition was found to be missing during the checks, although he did not provide a specific figure.
In addition, the navy chief has established a separate panel to examine potential disciplinary actions against the ordnance officer responsible for the theft. Admiral Choengchai has emphasized that swift action will be taken.
The RTMC has also instructed a review of the closed-circuit television footage at the arsenal and interviews with the guards stationed on the premises. It was discovered that the ordnance officer had gained access to the warehouse using duplicate keys he had created and had taken ammunition on multiple occasions.
The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, has been absent from work since July 6 and could not be reached for contact.
Admiral Pokkrong clarified that the warehouse guards were not involved in the theft, as they believed the officer’s actions were part of his regular work routine.
The CSI-LA Facebook page claimed that at least 400,000 cartridges were estimated to have been stolen, raising questions about the timing of the disappearance amid conflicts in neighboring countries and growing political instability in Thailand surrounding the prime ministerial vote.
