Thirty-five tons of heavy weaponry has been discovered in a plane at Bangkok airport.

The plane came from North Korea and was forced to refuel in the Thai capital. When it was searched - probably after a tip - anti-aircraft missiles and firearms were found.

The five-man crew told the authorities that the plane was carrying equipment for oil platforms. Four of the men came from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus. They have been arrested. It is not known what the plane's destination was.

In June, the United Nations imposed sanctions on North Korea after Pyongyang carried out missile tests.

It is not the first time weapons have been found in North Korean freight. In August the United Arab Emirates stopped a ship carrying arms from the communist country to Iran.

Photo: Bangkok airport - Flickr/adaptorplug