Bangkok gun traders say Thai crackdown misses the mark

BANGKOK: Gun shops in Bangkok's historic district, which have operated for over seven decades, have emptied their shelves of pistols and rifles due to a 2023 shooting at a Bangkok mall. The incident, along with previous mass shootings in schools and childcare centers, has led to stricter gun regulations. Warintorn Boonyachai, a gun shop owner, has turned to baking bread to cover staff salaries but still advocates for lifting the import ban.

However, a recent shooting by a 14-year-old gunman outside Bangkok has reignited the debate. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has proposed a new law to suspend the issuance of new firearm and gun ownership permits, which could further drive the market underground. Thititorn Bupparamanee, president of the Firearms Traders Association of Thailand, believes the measures won't address the root causes of gun violence, fearing a move to the black market.

Thailand has an estimated 10.3 million firearms, making it one of the countries with the second-highest private gun ownership in Asia, behind Pakistan.