Bangkok, Thailand, 17 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) The Thailand gun crackdown is putting growing pressure on firearms dealers in Bangkok’s historic gun district, where traders say restrictions on legal sales risk hurting established businesses without addressing the country’s large illicit weapons market.
The government has moved to tighten controls after a series of deadly shootings, including an attack this month in which a 14-year-old killed people at his home and school outside Bangkok before killing himself. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has proposed further restrictions on firearm permits as authorities review the country’s gun laws.
Bangkok gun shops struggle under tighter restrictions
Firearms businesses have already been unable to import guns since restrictions introduced following the 2023 shooting at a Bangkok shopping centre.
The latest measures could squeeze the legal market further. Reuters reported that authorities have moved to suspend new firearm purchasing permits, while police have been instructed to stop renewing permits for buying guns.
The effect is particularly visible in Bangkok’s gun district, which has operated since 1963. One business, Suchart and Friends Gun, has turned part of its operation into a bakery.
Owner Warintorn Boonyachai began selling bread five months ago to help cover staff salaries while the firearms trade remained restricted. Another long-established gun shop reportedly had just two firearms remaining for sale, but staff said neither could be sold under the restrictions.
Gun industry questions Thailand gun crackdown
Thititorn Bupparamanee, president of the Firearms Traders Association of Thailand, argued that restricting legitimate purchases would not address the underlying causes of firearms violence.
“They are not fixing the problem at the right places, because if they did, there would be less crime,” he told Reuters.
He warned that preventing people from purchasing firearms through regulated channels could encourage some prospective buyers to seek weapons illegally.
Thititorn estimated Thailand’s firearms industry to be worth about 2 billion baht (£46 million at recent exchange rates).
Government moves after deadly school shooting
Prime Minister Anutin’s government intensified its response following the 7 August school shooting in Nonthaburi province.
Authorities announced a review of firearm regulations and suspended the issuance of new permits. The government is also seeking tougher enforcement against illegal firearms, while the proposed changes would strengthen oversight of weapons ownership and sales.
The action follows earlier government scrutiny of Thailand’s welfare gun programmes. In June, the Thai cabinet acknowledged measures proposed to prevent corruption connected with welfare firearm procurement schemes.
Thailand faces longstanding firearms problem
Thailand has one of Asia’s highest levels of civilian gun ownership. A 2017 Small Arms Survey estimate cited by Reuters put the number of civilian-held firearms at approximately 10.3 million, equivalent to about 15 guns for every 100 people.
Just over six million were estimated to be registered, while roughly four million were unregistered.
That divide is central to the dispute over the government’s response. Traders argue that restrictions on licensed businesses could have limited effect if illegal weapons remain readily available.
For the government, however, the latest shootings have intensified pressure to demonstrate that firearm ownership and access are being more tightly controlled.
What happens next for Thailand’s gun laws?
The Thailand gun crackdown is expected to remain focused on reviewing existing licences, restricting new permits and strengthening enforcement against illegal weapons.
The government’s proposed legislative changes will determine how permanent the latest restrictions become. In the meantime, Bangkok’s licensed gun traders face continued uncertainty, with some businesses already turning to other sources of income while waiting to see whether legal firearms sales can resume more broadly.
