The incident happened on Saturday afternoon, Mukdahan Peace and Order Maintaining Command head Colonel Thaksapol Sirirak said yesterday, adding the suspects’ names would be disclosed after they had been handed over to Nikhom Khamsoy police later yesterday.

The soldiers were accused of conspiring with two others to block a car driven by 44-year-old gambler Paisal Ukham with their Bangkok-registered car on a road to Ban Khambong-Ban Hinrach in Tambon Kok Daeng.

Paisal claimed to have used Bt1.5 million for gambling and doubled that amount with his wagers before heading home to Kok Daeng.

He said that four robbers, wearing military camouflage clothing, knocked him out, handcuffed and blindfolded him before fleeing with the cash.