3 weeks ago
Thai PM vows new gun law after deadly school shooting
A teenager in Thailand did something very sad and scary: he hurt his grandparents, then went to a school and hurt more people before hurting himself.
At least eight people died, including the teenager.
The leader of Thailand, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, said the country will make a new law about guns.
The new law would only let government workers who are on duty carry guns.
Thailand has a lot of guns, about 15 for every 100 people, more than any nearby country.
Experts who study this say Thailand's gun rules are not strict enough.
They say people should get a mental health check before they can own a gun, and that licenses should be checked again from time to time.
They also want 'red-flag laws,' which let authorities take guns away from people who might hurt themselves or others.
The government promises to act, but experts worry that without these changes, sad events like this will happen again.
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed a new law allowing only government officials on duty to carry guns.
A Thai teenager fatally shot his grandparents, then killed at least five people and himself at a school outside Bangkok, leaving at least eight dead.
Thailand has an estimated 10.3 million civilian firearms, about 15 per 100 residents, the highest rate in Southeast Asia.
Experts say Thailand's licensing system lacks mental health screening, allows people as young as 20 to hold weapons, and has no periodic reassessments.
Anutin previously ordered gun control measures, including license bans and shooting-range restrictions, after an October 2023 Bangkok mall shooting.
- Who
- Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a Thai teenage attacker, and experts such as associate professor Piyaporn Tunneekul.
- What
- A teenage shooting rampage at a school outside Bangkok killed at least eight people, prompting the PM to promise a law restricting gun carrying to on-duty officials.
- Where
- A school on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand.
- When
- Friday, August 7, with the pledge made within hours of the shooting.
- Why
- To respond to the shooting and address Thailand's high civilian gun ownership, the highest rate in the region.
Government Position
Experts and Critics
Effectiveness of gun control measures
Government Position
The government is responding: Anutin vows a new law restricting public gun carrying, and previously ordered license bans, import restrictions and proposed mental-health certificates after the 2023 mall shooting.
Experts and Critics
Experts say current rules still lack mental health screening, allow people as young as 20 to own guns, and lack red-flag laws; Piyaporn Tunneekul said 'these events repeat, but the state does nothing.'
Current licensing requirements
Government Position
Thailand's law separates ownership and carry licenses, and authorities consider factors such as money, need to protect property, or self-defence when issuing permits.
Experts and Critics
Experts say those are not good reasons and note that other countries do not accept them, calling for interventions and red-flag laws comparable to those abroad.
Key facts
- Location
- School on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand
- Date
- Friday, August 7
- Death toll
- At least 8, including the teenage attacker
- Perpetrator
- A Thai teenager who fatally shot his grandparents first
- New policy pledge
- Only government officials on duty may carry guns
- Estimated civilian firearms
- 10.3 million (2017 Small Arms Survey estimate)
- Guns per 100 residents
- About 15
- Registered vs unregistered guns
- Just over 6 million registered; about 4 million unregistered
Quotes
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
Current Prime Minister of Thailand and former interior minister
“"We only look at things like: Do you have money? Do you have a necessary reason to protect your property? Do you want it for self-defence? But in other countries, authorities say those are not good reasons."”
theprint.in
“"The new law will only allow government officials on duty to carry guns."”
theprint.in
Sources
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