Prime Minister orders halt to Koh Phangan shotgun raffle prizes

Bangkok, 13 August 2026 — Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has directed the Department of Provincial Administration to immediately halt the practice of awarding shotguns as raffle prizes, following the drawing of five long-barrelled firearms during a Kamnan and village headmen's celebration on Koh Phangan.

The raffle, held on Monday to commemorate Thailand’s 134th Kamnan and Village Headmen Day, faced criticism after photos were shared online, showing the guns being offered alongside a concert. These images came to light days after Anutin announced more stringent gun control measures. At a press conference, Narucha Khosa-siwilais, the department chief, stated that the government's policy is to manage the number of firearms in circulation, including by halting the issuance of Por 3 firearm-acquisition permits.

He emphasized that village heads would no longer receive guns as prizes and that organizers must offer rewards of equivalent value, such as cash or commemorative pins. The urgent policy requires that these shotgun raffles be cancelled or suspended, as permits are now unavailable due to a nationwide suspension through a central database system.

Narucha also clarified that the suspension of the welfare firearm scheme for officials would ensure equal treatment between public officials and the general public, as officials may carry firearms only while on duty with written authorization from a supervisor assigning them to public-order duties.