According to reports from Reuters and the Thai newspaper The Nation, Thai Prime Minister Anutin announced on August 11 that the issuance of gun purchase permits would be suspended, and existing gun license holders would be subject to review.
Last week, a school shooting incident shocked Thailand's northern province of Nonthaburi, resulting in the death of 9 people, including the 14-year-old shooter. Just three days later, Thongchai Yanbhasai, the chairman of the administrative organization of Nonthaburi Province, was shot and killed by former Thai congressman Chaiporn Riojaran.
Anuting stated on the 11th that he had instructed the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of legal affairs to speed up the drafting of a new gun control law, in order to implement stricter controls and significantly increase the penalties. The police have been instructed to suspend the renewal of licenses that allow citizens to purchase firearms.
Anuiting reiterated that according to current laws, legally registered firearms must be kept at home and cannot be carried to public places. As for illegal firearms, the authorities are developing laws requiring holders to turn in their firearms to the government within a specified period.
Thailand's National Police Chief Jitrat has ordered police officers across the country to intensify efforts to combat illegal firearms, ammunition, and explosives. At the same time, security measures will be strengthened in schools, shopping centers, parks, and other public places.
Thai police spokesperson said that the order was issued after a series of violent incidents involving firearms or explosive devices in recent times.
According to reports, the Thai police will focus on investigating activities related to illegal gun ownership, gun sales offline and on social media. They will carry out search operations, and also strengthen patrols and security checks at schools, shopping malls, parks, etc., to detect suspicious individuals and vehicles.
Thailand's Education Minister Bhasur proposed new school safety measures to the cabinet, including screening all persons entering educational venues for illegal items and weapons.
According to the Small Arms Survey's 2017 estimate, the number of firearms owned by civilians in Thailand is approximately 10.3 million. This means that there are about 15 guns for every 100 residents, a ratio far higher than that in other countries in Southeast Asia.
