Sydney man arrested at Thai airport after guns and ammunition found in suitcase

A Sydney man was arrested in Thailand after being arrested at an airport with a firearm and 96 rounds of ammunition in his bag.

Immigration police in Surat Thani province reported on Thursday that the Australian was arrested at Samui Airport on Koh Samui at around 1pm that day.

In a now-deleted post, police claimed the weapon was found disassembled in the luggage of Mark Bassall, 41, who was taken to a nearby police station for questioning.

According to local media reports, Surat Thani Immigration Director General Pol Koru Suparuek Pankosol said Basal was traveling to the island with his family.

Police claim he purchased the firearm for “self-defense when traveling abroad.”

bangkok post Mr Basal, his wife and three children had flights to Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and reported that they intended to return to Sydney via Singapore.

The Sydney man was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and released on bail to appear in court at a later date.

Koh Samui is Thailand’s second largest island and a popular tourist destination off the country’s east coast.

We have reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.