Thai police order nationwide illegal gun crackdown

Thailand's national police chief has ordered a nationwide drive against illegal firearms, ammunition and explosives, alongside increased security at schools, shopping centres, parks and other public spaces.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, deputy inspector-general and Royal Thai Police spokesman, said on Tuesday, August 11, that Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet issued the order after a series of violent incidents involving firearms or explosives. Those incidents caused deaths, injuries and property damage.

The operation splits responsibility between two deputy national police chiefs. Investigation teams will pursue illegal weapons offences, while crime-prevention officers will step up patrols and prepare for emergencies in public areas.

Gun permits

Until further notice, no new permits to purchase or own guns will be issued. Existing purchase permits will not be renewed but it is unclear what will happen to existing gun ownership permits.

Permits to carry guns were suspended in late 2023 - meaning owners must keep their weapons at home or at a shooting range.

Authorised are also considering measures and incentives to persuade the owners of an estimated four million unlicensed guns to hand them over in the wake of the school shooting.

Focus on illegal weapons and online sales

Pol Gen Thana Chuwong, the deputy national police chief responsible for investigation work, has been assigned to lead action against offences involving guns, ammunition and explosives.

Police units have been told to identify and investigate people linked to illegal weapons, carry out searches connected with weapons offences, and investigate unlawful sales both in person and through social-media channels.

Investigative and crime-prevention resources are also to be combined for nationwide enforcement operations.

Illegal weapons are already listed among crimes that police units must address continuously under the Royal Thai Police's 2026 operational plan.

More patrols at public locations

Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, the deputy national police chief responsible for crime prevention and suppression, will oversee security measures at so-called soft targets. These include schools, shopping centres and public parks.

The measures call for more visible Stop Walk Talk patrols, checks for firearms, and inspections of suspicious people and vehicles. Police have also been instructed to improve systems for receiving emergency reports and getting officers to incident scenes.

Tactical special-operation teams are to be kept ready to intervene in serious incidents, while security is to be increased at public locations more generally.

Police weapons also under review

Police units have additionally been ordered to review and control official police firearms in line with existing regulations.

The force's 2026 plan already includes Stop Walk Talk patrols, tactical training and stronger capabilities for responding to serious incidents.

Pol Gen Kitrat instructed commissioners, commanders and supervisors at every level to coordinate investigative and crime-prevention teams during the crackdown. Officers were also told to follow police tactics and the law strictly.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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12 August 2026