A Sydney man has been arrested in Thailand after he was allegedly caught with a firearm and 96 rounds of ammunition in his bag at an airport.
Immigration Police in the Surat Thani Province reported on Thursday an Australian citizen was arrested at the Samui Airport on Koh Samui about 1pm the day.
In a now-deleted post, Police alleged the weapon was found disassembled in the luggage of Mark Bassal, 41, who was taken to a nearby police station for questioning.
Local media reports quoted Surat Thani Immigration superintendent Pol Col Suparuek Phankosol saying Mr Bassal was travelling with his family on the island.
Police allege he had bought the firearm for “self-defence when travelling abroad”.
The Bangkok Post reports Mr Bassal, his wife and three children, had airline tickets to fly to Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi airport and were intending to return to Sydney via Singapore.
The Sydney man has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and given bail to face court at a later date.
Ko Samui is Thailand’s second largest island and a popular tourist destination off the country’s east coast.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was contacted for comment.