Key facts
- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul suspended firearm purchase permits.
- Existing firearm licenses will be reviewed.
- New gun control legislation is being expedited.
- A 14-year-old gunman killed nine people in a school shooting.
- Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia.
- The government aims to reduce the presence of guns in daily life.
- Amendments to gun control laws are expected within 60 days.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has suspended firearm purchase permits and ordered a review of existing licenses following two deadly shootings near Bangkok in less than a week. The first incident involved a 14-year-old who killed nine people at his high school and family home. The second occurred three days later at a government office, where a former lawmaker was arrested after killing one person and injuring another. The government is pledging to tighten gun controls, crack down on illegal firearms, and raise awareness about gun ownership responsibilities. The ultimate goal is to reduce the presence of guns in daily life and enhance societal safety. The Interior Ministry has been instructed to propose amendments to gun control laws within 60 days, which are expected to improve firearm data collection, tighten trade controls, and increase penalties for offenders. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession in 2017, or about 15 guns per 100 residents.