Officials Order Urgent Probe Into Shotguns Given as Raffle Prizes
Thailand's Department of Internal Administration ordered an urgent investigation after five shotguns were given as raffle prizes at a Tambon Chief Day celebration on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province on August 13.
Thailand's Department of Internal Administration has ordered an urgent investigation into the distribution of five shotguns as raffle prizes at a celebration of Tambon Chief and Village Headman Day on Koh Phangan in Surat Thani province on August 13, 2025. The incident drew media attention after the event distributed the weapons to lottery winners during a ceremony marking the 134th anniversary of the tradition. The department has taken the matter seriously and issued an emergency order to Surat Thani province to halt the weapon handover and investigate all related facts, including actions by the district officer and officials involved in organizing the event and providing the firearms as prizes. Surat Thani has been given seven days to complete the investigation and report findings to the Internal Administration Department, which will then consider further action. If any violation of law or government regulation is found, strict disciplinary and legal penalties will follow in line with the Prime Minister's policy to strengthen firearms control measures across permitting, trade, ownership, and enforcement against illegal weapons.
