12-10-2023 (BANGKOK) In a three-day nationwide operation following a deadly shooting at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thai police have seized more than 2,000 illegal guns and 75,000 bullets, leading to the arrest of 1,593 suspects. National police chief Torsak Sukvimol announced the results of the crackdown on Thursday, revealing the extensive efforts undertaken by police teams across the country.
Between October 9 and 11, officers conducted raids at 3,224 locations, targeting individuals involved in illegal firearms possession and trafficking. The operation was prompted by a shooting spree on October 3 at the Siam Paragon shopping mall, where a teenage gunman killed two people and injured five others.
The 14-year-old shooter, currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation, had reportedly obtained a modified blank gun through an online purchase. The incident spurred Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to order a comprehensive crackdown on all forms of illegal firearms, prompting swift action from law enforcement.
During the three-day operation, law enforcement officials confiscated 1,789 illegal guns, including blank guns and BB guns. They also seized 219 registered firearms that were being transferred unlawfully, along with an alarming total of 75,973 rounds of ammunition.
National police chief Pol Gen Torsak described the operation as a direct response to the mall shooting, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combating gun violence and ensuring public safety. In addition to the immediate crackdown, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has temporarily suspended the issuance of permits for importing and trading firearms as part of a series of short-term measures to strengthen gun control. Authorities are also considering amending the country’s firearms law, which is over 76 years old, to address existing loopholes.
To tackle the issue of illegal online gun sales, the police Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) is collaborating with other agencies. Their joint efforts have resulted in the closure of 79 Facebook pages, 14 TikTok accounts, 148 X (Twitter) accounts, 26 YouTube channels, and 14 Instagram accounts that were involved in the illegal trade of firearms.
The possession of illegal firearms carries severe penalties in Thailand, including a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht. However, the country has a relatively high rate of gun ownership compared to its Southeast Asian counterparts. According to the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey in 2017, Thailand ranked 13th globally for small gun possession, with approximately 10.3 million guns, only 6.2 million of which were registered.
Gun-related deaths in Thailand are also a significant concern. According to data from the World Population Review in 2022, the country was ranked 15th globally for gun deaths, with 2,804 reported fatalities, equating to a rate of 3.91 deaths per 100,000 population.
