Village Chief Orders Two Boys to Do Squats After Fake Gun Scare
A subdistrict chief in Nonthaburi Province confiscated replica firearms from two boys aged 14-15 near a school and ordered them to do 20 squats as punishment after they were found carrying the realistic-looking fake guns out of mischief.
At 12:30 p.m. on August 13, Pannadhorn Temnak, the subdistrict chief of Bang Kurud, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province, disclosed that the previous evening, while conducting a security patrol per provincial orders regarding drugs and firearms, he received a report from health station staff about two boys aged approximately 14-15 carrying weapons near a school fence at the entrance to Wat Tem Rak Samakkhi lane.
Upon arrival, the chief found the two boys walking with weapons in hand. When ordered to stop for inspection, he discovered the firearms were plastic replicas designed to look realistic—an 11mm replica gun with magazine and a plastic Colt Double Eagle-style gun. The confiscated weapons alarmed residents because of poor lighting, making it impossible to distinguish real from fake.
When questioned, the boys admitted they were walking with the fake guns out of mischief and peer pressure, intending to buy plastic pellets for target practice. During the encounter, one boy tried to discard a hidden knife and attempted to flee before the chief stopped him. The boys were trembling with fear throughout the journey to their home, where both broke down in tears.
The chief reported that he initially planned to order 30 squats each but reduced it to 20 after seeing the boys' distress. He warned their guardians not to let them leave home at night and confiscated the replica guns to prevent further incidents. The chief added that he and village officials have intensified patrols and are conducting daily backpack inspections at three schools: Klai Soan Suksit School, Wat Tem Rak School, and Bang Kurud School. The confiscated weapons have been reported to the district office.
