Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, a former metropolitan police chief, has been detained by Japanese authorities at Tokyo's Narita International Airport for having a gun and ammunition in his possession, police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri confirmed on Tuesday.
Pol Lt Gen Prawut said police were examining reports about Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit's arrest to find out why he had the gun with him, whether or not the weapon had gone through security procedures in Thailand and how.
Police would then contact the former Bangkok metropolitan police bureau chief to see what could be done to help him, he said.
Initial reports said Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit went to Japan on June 18 on Thai Airways Flight TG 640 which departed Suvarnabhumi airport at 9.50pm.
He was found with the gun in his possession at Narita airport as he was about to board a 5pm flight to return to Thailand on Jan 22. The type of the gun was not reported, or how it was found.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit admitted to owning the gun and showed his identification card and documents for the weapon to Japanese authorities.
Thai embassy officials had contacted Japanese officials to provide legal assistance in the case, Pol Lt Gen Prawut said.
Ex-Bangkok police chief caught with gun at Narita airport | Bangkok Post: news