Thirachai Uttarawichien, who has been arrested along with eight others following raids by authorities at nine locations in seven provinces last week, told a press conference at the Crime Suppression Division on Friday he believed Ko Tee was referring to former interior minister Charupong Ruangsuwan. Charupong was a key figure in Pheu Thai Party, having been its secretary general.

“But I don’t think Ko Tee saw weapons in the containers by himself,” he said.

Thirachai also claimed he met Ko Tee three times in Laos – the last time in February.

“Every time we met, Ko Tee never ordered me to create any incident. I believe that he has no potential to create any unrest,” the suspect said. But he admitted Ko Tee had made a threat to kill certain government leaders.

One of the nine suspects is Sakon Nakhon resident Palida Ruangsuwan, 61, described in some media reports as a relative of Charupong.

The nine suspects – seven men and two women – are charged with illegal possession of weapons and criminal association. Yesterday, they were handed over to the police by the military and made to appear at the press conference at the CSD headquarters.

In addition to the nine arrested, police are still seeking four others – a woman and three men, including Ko Tee, 48, who is wanted for possessing unregistered weapons and ammunition without permission.

Thirachai also revealed that had learned that the seized weapons from the house had been used “only twice” – in clashes with Ko Tee’s political enemies.

However, a security source said yesterday some suspects had confessed that some of the confiscated weapons were used during the political unrest in 2010.