But the security team conducting the raids will continue to search for weapons, he said.

The police probe will be transferred to a special DSI unit for two reasons, Suwaphan said, including the fact that among the weapons found at a Pathum Thani company linked to Ko Tee is an M-16 assault rifle which belonged to authorities before being stolen during the 2010 political uprising.

“The case is also related with terrorism,” he said.

Commenting on the possibility of Lao authorities extraditing Ko Tee back to Thailand, the minister only said the matter would be overseen by security officers.