Bangkok: A group of Thai students who were detained in Pakistan after one of them was caught carrying a gun through Lahore airport returned home Thursday after officials secured their release.
Thailand`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the students -- who all hailed from the kingdom`s Muslim-majority deep south -- left Lahore late Wednesday evening.
The Thai government has said the students are not linked to any insurgent groups including in Thailand`s conflict-plagued south where ethnic Malay Muslims have been fighting for a level of autonomy.
"All the Thai students are in good health and good spirits as they have returned to their respective hometowns," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry did not say whether any deal was struck to secure the group`s release or whether they still faced any charges.
The five students were detained by Pakistani police on 8 June after a handgun and bullets were found in one of the Thais` luggage as they checked in for a flight at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
The group`s release comes as a former senior Thai policeman was arrested earlier this week in Japan after he was caught carrying a loaded pistol through Narita airport.
Comronwit Toopgrajank, a former Bangkok police chief, was detained on Monday as he tried to fly back to Thailand.
Officials stationed at the airport discovered a revolver with five live rounds in the 60-year-old`s suitcase and arrested him on the spot on suspicion of violating gun laws.
Thai junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha has ordered officials to investigate whether Comronwit was able to take the pistol through Thai airport security before flying to Japan.
Channel 3 television Thursday quoted Thai officials at Suvanabhumi aiport saying they were adamant no sign of a weapon was picked up when Comronwit passed through security.