At 13:50pm, Thalang Deputy Inspector, Lt Suchart Leicha, and his team carried out the swoop on Baan Meaung Mai Moo5 in Thepkasattri as part of Police Region 8̕s ongoing anti-crime campaign.
While patrolling the area, a young man, carrying a brown shoulder bag and standing at the entrance of Soi Lak Meaung of Baan Meaung Mai caught the attention of police officers.
After noticing the police, the young man suddenly ran down Soi Lak Meaung.
Police ran after the man and after a 10 minute search they found and apprehended him.
During a search of the man̕s bag, police found a home-made .38 pistol, holster and four bullets.
Police asked to see the permit for the gun, but the suspect, Arthon Markkhaw, 20, from Mai Khao, could not provide it.
Arthon told police that he had brought the gun from a friend in Trang for B2,000 and that he carried it as protection from local teen gangs.
Police took Arthon to Thalang police station where he will be charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition without a permit and carrying a firearm in a public place.