Thai PM suspends new gun ownership permits for a year

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul/Presidential Communications Office

JAKARTA - Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered a national suspension of issuing new permits to carry firearms for one year, following a deadly shooting incident at a school near Bangkok.

He said the policy was aimed at maintaining public order, reducing the risk of violence, and restoring public confidence.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, August 11, the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Provincial Administration Department also instructed regional officials to tighten the inspection process in issuing permits to purchase firearms. The steps include a thorough background check in accordance with the Firearms Law, according to NBT WORLD.

Supervision of licensed firearm owners who have ownership permits will also be strengthened to ensure they continue to comply with all legal requirements.

Firearms must be stored at home and may not be taken to public places without a valid legal reason. Violations of this rule can be punished with imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to 10,000 baht (about Rp5.3 million), or both.

The Thai government took the policy after a deadly shooting incident at a school on Friday that killed nine people, including the grandfather and grandmother of the shooter who were still students. The perpetrator then died by suicide.

Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong has also proposed a national safety package consisting of six points to the Cabinet to prevent similar attacks.

The proposal includes mandatory mental health checks, emergency drills, and a zero-tolerance policy on bullying and gun ownership, according to the Thai Enquirer.