One-Year Pause on Gun Permit Approvals in Thailand Amidst Gun Violence

Thailand Imposes One-Year Ban on New Permits, Strengthens Civilian Firearm Regulations

The Thai government has decided to temporarily halt the issuance of new gun permits in response to a recent spate of shootings.

According to the Bangkok Post, on the 23rd, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order instructing gun registration agencies across the country to suspend the issuance of gun permits for one year.

Once approved by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and published in the Royal Gazette, the measure will take effect immediately.

This move, aimed at curbing gun violence, applies to civilians, excluding public officials such as police officers.

Authorities have mandated that individuals possessing imitation guns, like BB guns, which can be modified into real weapons, report to registration agencies.

In Thailand, the law permits gun ownership, and individuals can legally carry a firearm in public places for self-defense once they legally own the gun and possess the necessary permits.

The government has been pushing for stricter gun control following a series of shootings in the capital, Bangkok, and elsewhere.

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin has previously stated that he would consider a plan to prohibit civilians from carrying firearms in public places.

On the 3rd of last month, a 14-year-old boy opened fire at the upscale Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, killing three people and injuring five.

Additionally, on the 11th of this month, two gunmen shot and killed a freshman at a technical college and a woman in her 40s on a Bangkok street.

Then, on the 20th, a gunman on a motorcycle killed a 16-year-old student in a street shooting.

By. Yeon Seung