Thailand Bans All Civilian Gun Carrying Outside Homes
Thailand has banned all civilians from carrying firearms outside their homes, with violators facing imprisonment regardless of status, Prime Minister Anutin announced on August 11. The government is also halting firearm license renewals and
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared that civilians are prohibited from carrying firearms outside their homes, with anyone who violates the rule facing imprisonment—including politicians and competitive shooters. Speaking at Government House on August 11, 2026, Anutin said the government is accelerating gun control efforts after instructing Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt to draft new firearms legislation. The Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police have been ordered to halt renewal of firearm licences under categories Por. 3, Por. 4, and Por. 12 pending Cabinet approval.
Anutin stressed that enforcement must be stricter and more decisive, with police and administrative officials establishing checkpoints to target firearms and drugs. He warned that police will oppose bail in appropriate cases, keeping suspects in custody. "Do not believe anyone who tells you to carry a gun for self-defence," Anutin said. "Most people carrying guns end up harming themselves."
The new law will cover ammunition as well. Legally registered firearms may be kept only at home, while illegal guns must be surrendered within a timeframe set by law. Inherited firearms and those that cannot legally be transferred may be handed in without penalty during a grace period. Competitive shooters will be prohibited from carrying guns outside shooting ranges; firearms used for training must be stored at facilities, and ammunition must be purchased and used there before the weapons are left behind.
"There will be no exceptions," Anutin declared. "If you do it, you break the law and go to prison." Civilians who are not state officials performing their duties cannot carry firearms outside their homes. He urged families to watch for threatening or violent behaviour by gun-owning relatives and announced plans to conduct random checks at Government House, including of ministers' aides and associates. "If they are carrying a gun and are not police officers on duty, they are on their own," he said.
