A routine security sweep at a Bangkok university took a serious turn when police arrested a 19-year-old first-year student for allegedly carrying a loaded firearm on campus. The incident occurred on the evening of December 9 at the Uthenthawai Campus of Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, located along Phaya Thai Road in the Pathumwan district.
According to police, the student was discovered underneath a university building at around 9pm. Officers found him in possession of a .38-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver, six rounds of ammunition, and a leather holster. The weapon was reportedly loaded at the time of his arrest. Following the discovery, the student was taken into custody and escorted to a secure area on campus for questioning.
At approximately 12:35am on December 10, senior officers arrived at the scene to inspect the confiscated firearm and oversee the ongoing investigation. Police later confirmed that the student is facing two criminal charges: unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a firearm in public without reasonable cause. Both charges carry serious penalties under Thai law.
Police Major General Chaikrit Pho-a noted that this incident is not an isolated case. In recent operations targeting campus-related violence, authorities have already confiscated six illegal firearms from within the same institution. The discovery highlights growing concerns over the presence of weapons in vocational and technical schools, some of which have long struggled with issues of rivalry and violence among students.
The arrest forms part of a broader crackdown under the Royal Thai Police’s initiative to curb campus violence across the capital. Officers from Pathumwan Station, including newly deployed patrol teams, have been instructed to carry out more frequent and proactive searches at institutions identified as high-risk. These sweeps aim to prevent violent confrontations and discourage students from carrying weapons.
In earlier searches linked to the same initiative, police uncovered hidden weapon stashes at both the Pathumwan Institute of Technology and Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok. These stockpiles included knives, modified weapons, and improvised tools that officials say could be used in student clashes.
The presence of firearms on campus has been a recurring concern in Bangkok. Authorities believe that the combination of longstanding rivalries, easy access to illegal weapons, and social pressures among student groups contributes to the ongoing problem. Police officials emphasize that the recent arrest demonstrates the importance of continued vigilance and campus monitoring.
As investigations proceed, the arrested student will face legal prosecution, and police are expected to review whether the firearm was obtained through local illegal markets or from external suppliers. University administrators have also been urged to strengthen internal security protocols and cooperate closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The Royal Thai Police reiterated their commitment to reducing violence in educational environments, adding that proactive operations will continue throughout the coming months.
