Thai PM Orders Strict Control Of Weapon Ownership And Strict Action Against Drug Users After Mass Shooting

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha. (Wikimedia Commons/World Travel & Tourism Council)

JAKARTA - Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Monday ordered law enforcement agencies to tighten gun ownership laws and crack down on drug use, following a mass murder by a former police officer at a daycare center that shocked the country.

A total of 36 people including 24 children were killed in a knife and gun attack last week by a former policeman, who later killed himself in Uthai Sawan, a city 500 km (310 miles) northeast of Bangkok.

The incident was one of the worst child killings by a single killer in recent history.

Prime Minister Prayut has instructed authorities to proactively seek and test the use of illegal drugs among officials and the public, improving treatment for addicts, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement.

"The prime minister has ordered the government registrar to revoke gun licenses from registered owners, who are reported to have behaved in a way that threatens society and creates chaos or causes riots," Anucha said.

"In addition to the crackdown on illegal arms sales, arms smuggling, and illegal use of firearms," ​​he continued.

Thai authorities plan to withdraw weapons from officers and police officers, who have misused their firearms or behaved aggressively while on duty.

"Regular mental health checks will also be required for applicants and gun license holders," Police Chief General Damrongsak Kittprapas told reporters.

It is known that the ownership of weapons in Thailand is high compared to several other countries in Southeast Asia. Illegal weapons, many brought from strife-torn countries, are common.