People's Party Proposes Gun-Control Law Amendments
The People's Party proposed amendments to Thailand's firearm laws while warning that stricter penalties alone won't reduce gun violence without proper enforcement. Party leader Natthaphong also called for equal legal treatment of politician
BANGKOK — 14 August 2026, People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said his party was preparing proposed amendments to firearm laws and gun-control measures, while warning that stricter penalties would be ineffective without equal enforcement.
Natthaphong, who is also opposition leader in the House of Representatives, expressed condolences over the deaths and said schools receiving threats should treat them seriously, regardless of whether the sender intended to act on them.
"School administrators everywhere must monitor and ensure safety at their schools as fully as possible," he said at parliament.
He said the People's Party was discussing amendments to firearm laws and broader gun-control policies. However, he stressed that tougher penalties alone would not solve the problem if enforcement failed.
"Laws with higher penalties could become tools for corrupt officials to demand benefits or extort money for themselves," he said.
Asked whether the party would submit a firearms bill during the next parliamentary session, Natthaphong said internal discussions were ongoing but that the party would likely introduce its own proposal alongside any government bill.
He also said politicians should not receive special treatment under the law, amid criticism over elected representatives' high rates of gun ownership.
"Politicians are no different from ordinary people," he said. "Whatever hat they wear or position they hold, everyone must be equal before the law."
Natthaphong referred to news footage showing a political figure accused of wrongdoing sitting in the same room as police, smoking and not wearing handcuffs.
"It gives society, including myself, the impression that this is not right," he said.
"Politicians and non-politicians appear to be treated differently once they enter the justice process."
Asked whether Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's reported reprimand of the national police chief could restore public confidence, Natthaphong said the public would judge the government by results rather than statements.
"People will place the most trust in actions and the results that follow," he said.
He added that several worthwhile proposals had been made to bring firearms already circulating in society back under state control, but said effective enforcement remained the central issue.
