The Interior Ministry has issued a total ban on people carrying firearms in public over the New Year to prevent celebrations turning into tragedies, interior permanent secretary Suttipong Juljarern said yesterday.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered all administrative offices not to issue permits to individuals to carry firearms outside their homes.
Law enforcement officials will conduct inspections against the carrying of firearms in public during the New Year.
"People [with a permit] must remind themselves not to take their firearms with them when they are out in public areas," he said.
Even if people carry firearms in public with no ill intent, it is still illegal to do so, he said.
Individuals are also barred from firing "celebratory" shots into the air during parties. There have been instances where stray bullets have injured or even killed people, Mr Suttipong added.