Thailand considers penalty-free illegal gun surrender

Thailand's Interior Ministry is discussing a scheme that would let people hand in illegal firearms without criminal penalties, as part of a wider rewrite of the country's gun-control laws.

Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt said the proposed firearms bill is expected to go to Cabinet around mid-September 2026, following an initial public consultation through the Central Legal System, or Law Portal, which closes on Thursday, September 10.

The proposed surrender arrangement is intended to bring unregistered guns currently outside official control back into the state system. Discussions have been held between the Interior Ministry and the Council of State.

A gun buyback scheme is also being considered. However, the ministry's preliminary view is that a straightforward surrender programme would be more suitable because buying weapons back would require substantial funding and could create a financial burden for the government.

A full review of gun controls

Pakorn said the new bill is intended to close gaps in the Firearms Act, which has been in force since 1947, and establish a more integrated national system for firearms control.

The consultation responses received through the Law Portal will be used to prepare the draft legislation. It will then be opened to another round of public consultation before being submitted to Cabinet.

One central proposal concerns gun registration and possession licences. At present, different agencies operate separate licensing systems, with no linked data and limited mechanisms for tracking and monitoring firearms.

The bill would also examine legal firearms that have not been registered by their holders, which results in those weapons becoming illegal. The review is expected to cover registration, licensing, possession and use, along with tighter supervision of firearms dealers.

Pakorn said existing legislation does not clearly require firearms retailers to share responsibility for safety and security.

Shooting ranges and border controls

Shooting ranges are another area under review. Pakorn said there is currently no clearly defined control and oversight system, and that clearer standards and operating measures are needed.

He added that legal changes alone would not solve firearms problems. They must be accompanied by strict border monitoring and efforts to intercept firearms and ammunition being smuggled into Thailand.

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21 August 2026