PM signals changes to visa policy

'Balance needed' to prevent exploitation

PUBLISHED : 12 May 2026 at 04:27

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

WRITER: Apinya Wipatayotin and Wassayos Ngamkham

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Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday signalled a review of Thailand's visa-free entry policy following the arrest of a Chinese national linked to a suspected illegal arms network in Pattaya.

Mr Anutin said the visa-free scheme would need to be reassessed through consultations among multiple agencies to strike a balance between economic and tourism promotion and national security concerns.

"Visa-free entry does not mean allowing people to enter without conditions," he said. "Before this policy, many people questioned why Thailand did not offer visa-free access. Now we must find the most appropriate balance."

The prime minister defended the policy against calls for sweeping changes, warning against drawing broad conclusions from isolated incidents.

"Do not let a few bad cases undermine the entire system," he said, adding that millions of foreign visitors enter Thailand legally each year without causing problems.

The remarks came after police charged five Thai suspects, including two active-duty navy officers and a former serviceman, in connection with weapons discovered at the Chinese suspect's residence in Chon Buri province.

Mr Anutin said the government remained vigilant and had tightened scrutiny of foreign nationals, nationality transfers and civil registration procedures following the incident.

He also dismissed speculation that citizenship had been granted to individuals linked to the case, saying authorities had found no evidence to support the claims.

He added that he had instructed national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch to urgently expand the investigation into the origins of the weapons and any wider network involved.

Police said the five Thai suspects were charged with possessing and selling firearms that cannot legally be licensed. All denied the allegations and were released pending completion of the case file.

The suspects were identified as naval military policeman CPO1 Methee, former serviceman CPO1 Pathompong, PO1 Watcharin, shooting range trainer Kachen, and Chamlong, who allegedly provided a bank account used for payments linked to the arms transactions.

The arrests followed the detention of Chinese national Sun Mingchen, 31, after a car accident in Bang Lamung district on Friday. A search of the overturned vehicle uncovered firearms and prompted further investigation. Officers later discovered a cache of military-style weapons at Mr Sun's residence, including assault rifles and C4 explosives.

Investigators said Mr Sun had met Mr Kachen at a shooting range in Pattaya and allegedly asked him to procure an M16 rifle, triggering a chain involving the naval suspects and financial transfers through intermediaries.

Authorities also found Mr Sun possessed Chinese and Cambodian passports, along with a pink identification card issued to registered foreign residents.

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