Ex-pat charged over paramilitary get-up

An expatriate New Zealand martial arts instructor has been charged with having military equipment in Pattaya, Thailand.

Earlier reports said Robert McInnes had been caught earlier this week dressed in tactical police gear, carrying weapons in public. He also allegedly had a bootload of weapons in his vehicle.

Police confirmed they had charged Mr McInness only with illegal possession of ammunition, a bullet proof jacket and a police radio, the Pattaya Times newspaper reported.

His identification cards also reportedly bore conflicting dates of birth; one also stating he held the military rank of Colonel, another saying he was a member of the Pattaya police counter-terrorism unit.

The kung fu instructor also reportedly had a long association with the resort town's previous chief of police, who had since been replaced.

Mr McInnes himself confirmed to the paper the charges he faced.

"Immigration did not arrest me on the 18th because I had paperwork... I assure you I'm home safe and sound. I actually went to the station myself last night," he told the Pattaya Times.

"I have one police radio unlicensed that was left in my car along with a bulletproof jacket and I will most likely get a fine.... Everyone in Pattaya knows I'm with SWAT and it's a real unit."

Another media outlet, pattayadailynews.com, had previously posted photos of Mr McInnes' yellow Humvee truck, bearing prominent Thai police markings. They had also seized Mr McInnes' three other vehicles, which also bore police markings, the site said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told NZPA it was aware of the situation surrounding Mr McInnes, but had not been asked to help. The department was investigating the matter, a spokesman said.

Mr McInnes taught a form of kung fu called Sir Ge Dorr.

The martial artist left New Zealand following the drowning on one of his students in the Waiwera river in 1988, during a training exercise. The student, 17-year-old Jason Dooley died after being swept away in the engorged river he had been ordered to swim across.