Thailand’s government has pledged to strengthen gun controls and intensify efforts to remove illegal firearms from circulation following two deadly shootings near Bangkok within less than a week.
The attacks, both in Nonthaburi province northwest of the capital, have renewed pressure on authorities to address gun violence and improve enforcement of the country’s firearm regulations.
The first shooting occurred on Friday when a student opened fire at his high school and family home, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 20, according to police. The student later apparently took his own life.
Three days later, a separate shooting at a government office in the same province left one person dead and another injured. A former lawmaker was arrested in connection with that attack. The incidents have prompted the government to move quickly on firearm regulations.
Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said that authorities were working to strengthen gun laws, crack down on illegal firearms and increase public awareness about the responsibilities and limitations that come with gun ownership. The government’s broader objective, she said, is “to find ways to remove guns from people’s daily lives as much as possible and make Thai society safer.”
According to a statement from the Government House, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an urgent review of the country’s firearm regulations on Tuesday. As part of the measures, the government has ordered a suspension of new permits to purchase firearms while existing permits are also being reviewed.
Anutin also instructed the Interior Ministry to propose amendments to Thailand’s gun control laws within 60 days.The proposed changes are expected to strengthen the government’s collection and management of firearms data, tighten oversight of the gun trade and increase penalties for people who violate firearm regulations.
Thailand already has licensing requirements governing gun ownership, but critics have pointed to weaknesses in enforcement and the continued availability of firearms despite the country’s relatively restrictive laws. Under Thai law, unlawful possession of a firearm can result in prison sentences ranging from one to 10 years and fines of up to 20,000 baht, equivalent to about $600.
High Rate Of Civilian Gun Ownership
The government’s latest response comes against the backdrop of relatively high civilian gun ownership in Thailand compared with other countries in Asia.
Data collected in 2017 by the Small Arms Survey and GunPolicy.org estimated that Thai civilians possessed about 15 firearms for every 100 people. That figure was significantly higher than neighbouring Malaysia, where civilian gun ownership was estimated at fewer than one firearm per 100 people.
Thailand’s level of civilian firearm ownership is also considerably higher than that of many of its Southeast Asian neighbours, despite the country maintaining laws that require firearms to be licensed.
The prevalence of guns has also been reflected in Thailand’s firearm-related death rate. Statistics published by World Population Review put Thailand’s firearm death rate at 3.49 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023. While that rate remains substantially below levels recorded in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean, it is relatively high by Asian standards. Within Southeast Asia, only the Philippines recorded a higher rate, according to the figures.
Mass shootings remain relatively uncommon in Thailand, but the country has experienced several high-profile gun attacks in recent years. The incidents have repeatedly prompted discussions about gun ownership, access to firearms and the enforcement of existing regulations.
The latest shootings have brought those concerns back into focus, particularly because both incidents occurred within days of each other in Nonthaburi. The government’s planned review will therefore examine not only who is legally permitted to own firearms but also how weapons are tracked and regulated after they enter circulation.
Authorities are expected to focus on strengthening information about firearms, improving oversight of dealers and tightening the consequences for illegal possession and other violations.The decision to temporarily suspend new firearm purchase permits also signals an immediate response while the broader legal review is carried out.
For the government, the challenge will be balancing lawful firearm ownership with efforts to prevent weapons from reaching people who should not possess them. The two shootings have increased pressure on authorities to demonstrate that existing rules can be effectively enforced and that illegal firearms can be removed from circulation.
With the Interior Ministry given 60 days to propose amendments, Thailand is now set to reassess its approach to firearm regulation as officials seek to reduce gun-related violence and improve public safety.
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