Thai cops arrest Japanese tourist over war souvenirs

PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Thai forensic police officers inspect empty assault rifle magazines and a used anti-personnel mine seized from a Japanese tourist at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok yesterday.

Takeru Hirano, 27, was arrested before he boarded a plane to Japan.

He said he bought the items in Vietnam before he visited Thailand as he collects war souvenirs.

He told police he did not know that the possession of such items was illegal in Thailand.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 10, 2018, with the headline Thai cops arrest Japanese tourist over war souvenirs. Subscribe