Chaktip said more weapons are expected to be found hidden in unidentified shipping containers near Bangkok, even though further raids yesterday at several container yards found no firearms.

The police chief said Wutthipong is believed to be behind groups that have instigated mobs of supporters to oppose the government crackdown on Dhammakaya Temple.

He said they also had plans to assassinate national leaders, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and deputy premier Prawit Wongsuwan. They had also violated the lese majeste law through content on their radio programme.

Chaktip and other senior police put the firearms seized in the raid on Saturday on display. He was joined by several senior officers, including Pol Maj-General Sombat Milintajinda, the deputy chief of First Region Provincial Police.

Sombat said one of nine people now in custody was at Dhammakaya Temple when Wutthipong and others were moving to mobilise temple followers to oppose the government crackdown.

Police said there were also plans to assassinate national leaders based on a YouTube radio programme hosted by a person using the alias Sahai Ma Noi.