Police have insisted the case is not linked to three recent bomb blasts in Bangkok or the violent incidents in the southern border provinces.

The weapons sales case stems from the June 2 discovery of three hand grenades in an unclaimed parcel at a Kerry Express shop in Bangkok, which had a soldier registered as the sender.

The soldier who sent the parcel was questioned by the Army but was not on the list of suspects.

The 10 suspects – who had been in the custody of the 11th Military Circle in Bangkok for seven days – were handed over to the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), along with evidence including grenades, guns and computers.

Arrest warrants were initially issued for the suspects on Thursday, at both the military and criminal court, for illegal possession of guns and explosives.

The latest detentions bring the total number of suspects in police custody to 12. They will apply for a first detention period today.

They are: Lieutenant Santi Namwiset, Master Sergeants Padipat Sanehdee, Chatchai Eiumsomboon, Pol Hongsat and Thanakorn Boonkan, Sergeant Sutthichok Pairoh and Private Sakolnathee Phromthong as well as Kasemsuk Namsri, Sitthichai Thongchua, Natthapol Yooyeud, Nattapong Thongkhampan and Saksit Janthapa.

Following their interrogation, CSD deputy commander Pol Colonel Santi Chainiramai said the suspects confessed to opening chat groups in Line and Facebook to collaborate in selling weapons.

Santi said the probe found that the weapons sold by the group were not used in any of the three blasts in Bangkok or violent incidents in the deep South. They were also not connected to any arms dealers in Thai border areas.

Santi said the charges filed against alleged supplier Chatchai included allegations he dishonestly misappropriated his duty to purchase and manage things, which is punishable by five to 20 years imprisonment and a fine from Bt2,000 to Bt40,000. He is also accused of dishonestly exercising or omitting to exercise any of his functions, which is punishable by one to five years in jail and/or fines from 2,000 to Bt20,000. As well, he is accused of illegal possession and selling war weapons.

Padipat and Thanakorn were charged with aiding in Chatchai’s offences, and also illegal possession and selling war weapons.

The other suspects were alleged weapons buyers and charged with buying and having in their possession war weapons, said Santi.

Santi said two more suspects – Prachidchai Sudsakul and Pol Lance Corporal Krittapas Yimlamai – were expected at the CSD, while another three suspects, facing separate criminal cases in Songkhla, Surat Thani and Phitsanulok, would be arrested and brought to the CSD soon.