Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have jointly signed an order halting the issuance of permits to carry firearms, particularly handguns, for one year.
The timing of the order's enforcement, coinciding with St Valentine's Day, is symbolic. However, its effectiveness in curbing gun-related violence remains questionable.
At best, the order will reduce the already limited number of civilians who can legally carry a concealed handgun in public.
Normally, obtaining a licence to carry firearms is difficult, if not impossible. Applicants must undergo rigorous screening, including background and criminal history checks, and must provide a valid reason for carrying a firearm. In reality, only a small number of permits are granted by the interior minister or other authorised officials.
So, the likelihood of a legitimate gun owner with a legal permit for carrying a firearm committing an offence is minimal. Viewed from this perspective, halting the issuance of firearm-carrying permits will not address gun violence.
Most gun-related violence in Thailand involves illegal firearms or modified blank guns. More significantly, these crimes are typically committed by individuals who do not have firearm permits.
A case in point is the October 2023 shooting at Siam Paragon, where a mentally disturbed 14-year-old student killed three people and injured several others. The gun used in the attack was a modified Glock pistol purchased from an online seller.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn may be excused for being ill-advised in believing that halting the issuance of gun-carrying permits can curb violence. However, the Provincial Administration Department, which operates under the Interior Ministry, should know better -- this measure is far from sufficient in tackling gun violence.
The more effective solution should focus on gun control, particularly the reclassification of blank guns. Currently, blank guns are legally defined as toys or imitation firearms, which do not require a permit to be imported or bought. This classification must change, as modern blank guns are highly sophisticated and can be easily modified to fire live ammunition by replacing the barrels.
Additionally, firearm legislation must be updated to include 3D-printed firearms, which can now be manufactured locally by gunsmiths. Closing this loophole is essential to preventing the proliferation of untraceable weapons.
According to the Switzerland-based research centre Small Arms Survey, in 2017, Thailand had an estimated 10.3 million firearms in circulation, with 6.2 million legally registered and the rest illegal. Today, the actual numbers -- of both legal and illegal guns -- are likely much higher.
Thailand's gun culture is deeply rooted in public mistrust of the police, particularly in rural areas, where people believe law enforcement is incapable of protecting them. To change this mindset, police performance must improve to gain public trust and confidence.
What is missing from this culture is basic firearm training and a greater emphasis on conflict resolution rather than resorting to firearms to settle disputes.
Without comprehensive reforms, including stricter firearm regulations, reclassification of blank guns, and increased police effectiveness, these underlying issues will remain unresolved.