PM Orders Stricter Gun Control After School Shooting
Thailand's prime minister ordered stricter gun control measures and crackdowns on corruption following a school shooting in Nonthaburi that killed teachers and students.
On August 10, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister made merit offerings at Wat Rajbopit during the Buddhist Lent festival before calling security officials for an emergency meeting at the Interior Ministry. The gathering included Defense Minister Anudom Buntharnjcharoen, Deputy Police Commissioner Samrarn Nualma, and NACC Secretary-General Phoomvisai Kasemsouk to discuss policy responses to recent critical situations.
The meeting addressed nationwide gun control measures following a shooting at Tepsirin School in Nonthaburi the previous weekend, which resulted in deaths among teachers and students. Officials also reviewed progress on local government corruption investigations, which have identified 5,925 offenders and led to the removal of corrupt officials, some of whom held senior positions.
The PM instructed all relevant agencies—the Interior Ministry, Defense Ministry, National Police Office, security agencies, and the NACC—to coordinate and maximize enforcement of firearms possession and carrying regulations. He emphasized that anyone carrying a firearm in public places commits a crime and will be prosecuted, regardless of self-defense claims. The last gun-carrying permit was issued three years ago with a one-year validity, meaning no civilian currently holds legal authorization.
The PM stated that Deputy PM Anudit Nilepreprann is preparing amendments to firearms law, or if necessary, drafting entirely new legislation. Regarding personnel transfers in the military and police, the PM dismissed speculation about cross-provincial movements for the National Security Council secretary-general, saying officials discussed only timelines and scheduling, not individual assignments.
Concerning local government exam corruption, the PM confirmed that authorities will prosecute offenders and nullify test results that do not match published scores, vowing to pursue all wrongdoers without exception.
