Lapses exposed by rampage in Thailand

Officials unsure how soldier stole weapons

NAKHO N RATCHASIM A, THAI

LAND— It’s still unclear how a Thai soldier managed to steal from an army base the weapons he used to kill 29 people, but a gun researcher said the theft indicates that the facility had lax security.

The gunman, identified as Sgt.-Maj. Jakrapanth Thomma, snatched three assault rifles and two machine-guns from the base and escaped in a stolen military vehicle.

His actions show “that the level of control over this base’s armoury was woefully insufficient in terms of manpower and access restriction,” said Michael Picard, research director of GunPolicy.org.

The assailant then headed for ashopping mall, firing along the way. He held off security forces for almost 16 hours while holed up in the shopping centre.

Questions about military security carry a special sting in Thailand because just a few weeks ago the country’s toughtalking army commander said in an interview that he had ordered all army units to take care of their weaponry. The Bangkok Post quoted Gen. Apirat Kongsompong as saying that “all weapons must be kept under good care and ready for use.” He stressed that the army “will never let illminded people steal them,” referring to political opponents of the current government, led by former army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha.

On Tuesday, Apirat was due to address criticism of the operation at army headquarters in Bangkok.

A junior officer who said he often withdrew ammunition from Jakrapanth’s unit for his own unit’s target practice said the shooter would have had to overpower soldiers guarding small armoury depots to take the weapons and ammunition. The officer asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.