Democrat Party Urges PM to Target Illegal Guns Instead of Legal Owners
The Democrat Party warns that the government's blanket gun license suspension leaves police outgunned while illegal and homemade firearms proliferate online.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Democrat Party criticizes blanket gun license suspension as missing the root cause
- Cites mass shooting at a festival in Nakhon Ratchasima injuring six people with a homemade firearm
- Points out illegal firearms are openly sold and reviewed on X, TikTok, and Facebook
- Urges the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and Cyber Police to crack down on online gun markets
On August 13, 2026, Phongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, expressed serious concern over the government's strict policy to suspend and restrict the issuance of all types of gun licenses, which includes police officers and state officials. He argued that while the policy intends to reduce societal violence, it fundamentally misaddresses the core problem and creates severe security inequalities for ordinary citizens.
Phongsakorn expressed condolences regarding a violent incident at the 'Chim Shop Chai' event in Nakhon Ratchasima province, where a group of teenagers used a homemade shotgun to attack and fire indiscriminately into a crowd, injuring six individuals. This tragic event highlighted how illegal and homemade firearms remain easily and brazenly accessible without fear of the law.
Today, the black market for illegal firearms thrives openly online, with platforms like X, TikTok, and Facebook featuring regular product reviews and deliveries handled as routinely as normal consumer goods, creating a virtual free-for-all for illegal firearms in society. The Prime Minister's remark that online spaces are difficult to regulate should not serve as an excuse for surrender or neglect, as it effectively allows the underground market to expand unchecked.
"ภาครัฐอย่าทำแค่แก้กฎหมายเพื่อจัดการกับปืนที่ถูกกฎหมาย จนละเลยการจัดการกับปืนเถื่อน การขันน็อตคนทำถูกกฎหมาย แต่ปล่อยเกียร์ว่างใส่โจร ทำให้คนร้ายมีอาวุธเหนือกว่าเจ้าหน้าที่รัฐ แล้วเราจะฝากความหวังเรื่องความปลอดภัยไว้กับใคร"
Phongsakorn Kwanmuang
The Democrat spokesperson further highlighted the impact of the blanket license suspension, noting that police officers who perform high-risk duties every day are left unable to properly acquire firearms for their protection. This situation threatens to plunge society into a crisis where criminals possess more firearms than law enforcement officers, leaving innocent citizens vulnerable because protectors lack adequate means to defend them.
The debate over gun control in Thailand typically revolves around the tension between restricting firearm ownership among law-abiding citizens and dismantling underground illicit weapon networks. Blanket regulatory measures applied to registered applicants are often criticized for failing to impact criminals who operate entirely outside the legal registration system. Sustainable solutions require aggressive enforcement of digital laws to shut down online sales channels alongside tracking financial networks tied to illicit arms trafficking and homemade gun producers.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Finally, Phongsakorn called on the government to take resolute action to eradicate illegal firearms at their roots, proposing an integrated command combining the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Cyber Police to purge online gun trading pages and groups. He also emphasized putting pressure on social media platforms to immediately remove illegal content in order to break the cycle of illicit weapons and restore genuine safety to Thai society.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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