Thailand Implements One-Year Pause on New Firearm Carry Permits to Tackle Rising Gun Crime
PUBLISHED: 13 Feb 2025 at 14:30
Thailand has announced the suspension of new firearm carrying permits for a duration of one year, effective immediately, as part of its comprehensive strategy to reduce gun-related violence.
The directive was signed by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and the official notice was published in the Royal Gazette.
The measure comes in response to a growing concern over the number of individuals carrying firearms in public without justifiable cause, with some using their weapons to intimidate others.
This alarming trend poses significant risks to public safety and could provoke further criminal activity, according to a government spokesperson.
Current statistics reveal that there are 6.2 million registered firearms in Thailand as of 2023. In addition, an estimated 4 million unregistered firearms are in circulation, often acquired through illegal means.
Data from the World Population Review ranked Thailand 15th globally for gun-related fatalities in 2022, recording 2,804 deaths, equivalent to a rate of 3.9 per 100,000 individuals.
Gun violence incidents have become increasingly common, sparking national discussions regarding the need for stricter gun control measures.
This is not the first time the government has taken action; the issuance of firearm permits was previously halted in November 2023 following a tragic incident involving a schoolteacher caught in crossfire between rival student gangs in Bangkok.
In a significant crackdown prior to that, over 2,000 illegal firearms were confiscated and numerous arrests made after a deadly shooting incident at a prominent shopping mall in Bangkok, which left multiple casualties.
Following these events, authorities are also reviewing the outdated firearms legislation to address existing loopholes and enhance public safety measures moving forward.
