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Thailand Suspends Issuance of New Firearm Carrying Permits for One Year
The government's decision aims to address rising gun crime and enhance public safety.
THAILAND has announced a suspension on the issuance of new firearm carrying permits for a period of one year, effective February 14, 2025. This decision was formalized by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and was published in the Royal Gazette.
According to Traisuree Taisaranakul, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, the ban is a response to a significant number of firearms being carried in public without a valid justification.
Authorities have expressed concern that the display of firearms in public settings poses a potential threat to public safety, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
As of 2023, Thailand is reported to have approximately 6.2 million registered firearms, alongside an estimate of 4 million unregistered weapons, many of which are believed to have been sourced from conflict regions or smuggled across borders.
Data from the World Population Review in 2022 indicated that Thailand was ranked 15th globally for gun-related fatalities, with 2,804 reported deaths, resulting in a rate of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
Gun-related crimes in Thailand have sparked public debate and scrutiny over the effectiveness of existing gun control measures.
The recent increase in violence has drawn attention to several high-profile incidents involving firearms, including a tragic event in November 2023 that resulted in the death of a female schoolteacher during a gang dispute in Bangkok.
In response to this incident, the government had temporarily suspended the issuance of new permits for carrying guns.
Additionally, following a shooting at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, where two individuals lost their lives and several others were injured, Mr. Anutin implemented a series of short-term measures to strengthen gun control, which included a halt on permits for importing and trading firearms.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Interior has signaled intentions to revise the existing firearms legislation, originally established 76 years ago, to address identified loopholes.
According to Traisuree Taisaranakul, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, the ban is a response to a significant number of firearms being carried in public without a valid justification.
Authorities have expressed concern that the display of firearms in public settings poses a potential threat to public safety, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
As of 2023, Thailand is reported to have approximately 6.2 million registered firearms, alongside an estimate of 4 million unregistered weapons, many of which are believed to have been sourced from conflict regions or smuggled across borders.
Data from the World Population Review in 2022 indicated that Thailand was ranked 15th globally for gun-related fatalities, with 2,804 reported deaths, resulting in a rate of 3.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
Gun-related crimes in Thailand have sparked public debate and scrutiny over the effectiveness of existing gun control measures.
The recent increase in violence has drawn attention to several high-profile incidents involving firearms, including a tragic event in November 2023 that resulted in the death of a female schoolteacher during a gang dispute in Bangkok.
In response to this incident, the government had temporarily suspended the issuance of new permits for carrying guns.
Additionally, following a shooting at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok, where two individuals lost their lives and several others were injured, Mr. Anutin implemented a series of short-term measures to strengthen gun control, which included a halt on permits for importing and trading firearms.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Interior has signaled intentions to revise the existing firearms legislation, originally established 76 years ago, to address identified loopholes.
