Gun violence in Thailand: A problem that can't be solved?

[rooster59]

Gun violence in Thailand: A problem that can't be solved?

By Jack Board

 

More than 3,000 people were killed by firearms in homicides in Thailand in 2016. (Photo: Jack Board)

 

BANGKOK: When Sunantha Ratchawat was hit, her body went numb. It was dark inside the bar, popular with young Thais drinking and dancing and on this night, it was crowded. Music - American hip hop - was blasting through the venue’s speakers.

 

Sunantha, who goes by the name of Pam, was in her early 20s and on a casual night out in 2006 with friends on Khao San Road, a rowdy nightlife district in Bangkok. It was a normal place for her to hang out, and when an altercation broke out near her inside the bar, she initially did not pay much attention.

 

But when gunfire ripped through the bar, her life changed.

 

“I heard that someone shot a gun,” Pam said. “My friend was so scared and we tried to sit down and make ourselves as safe as much as we could.

Full story: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/gun-violence-in-thailand-a-problem-that-can-t-be-solved-10124114

 

Channel News Asia: 2018-05-12

[RotMahKid]

When I read the whole story then I think this problem will not be solved soon.

[tracker1]

Headline sound similar to solve Thais driving habits !

[Get Real]

Since when has any kind of problem been solved to satisfaction here?

[Tchooptip]

2 hours ago, HLover said:

So hilarious and original.

Nor hilarious nor original but... but what a temptation for some 

[anon789561]

A step in the right direction updating and making a central database for licenses then having to have licenses renewed etc. (if that ever happens) IMO won't change anything with regards gun crimes and illegal guns as i can't see something like a gun amnesty bringing up much in thailand. that would be like giving money away. so no, nothing's going to change IMO

[Bob12345]

There are 2 obvious problems in Thai society:

 

1. People are unable to see the consequences of their actions. They easily risk their lives for something as simple as someone using their car horn at them. This can be due to low education, a believe in karma, little self control, etc. All hard to change on a grand scale.

 

2. Society is rigged and you need to get "justice" for yourself. In my home country i can call the cops in case of trouble and they will make arrests when necessary (based upon laws being broken). Nothing i have to do except pressing charges. Over here there is no functioning police force; you shoot the person yourself or nothing will be done.

[Moti24]

A good start would be to stop making Thai Soaps that show gun-totting characters as being the norm!

 

This is a world-wide problem, but here in Thailand, it seems gun crimes are destined to be up there with road deaths; perhaps that's the reason nothing's done to curb showing WW3 on tv every night.  Thailand must revel in the thought of being number one in 2 categories.

[metisdead]

Some troll posts have been removed. 

[Bob12345]

21 minutes ago, Moti24 said:

(...)

This is a world-wide problem, .

(...)

No, its not.

The only developed country where it is a problem is the USA. In Europe this barely plays.

[Zack61]

Says a lot about the Thai brand Of Buddhism and how far departed they are from it’s peaceful teachings. The corrupted brand of Buddhism practiced here promotes this behaviour. If they could eliminate the problem they have with face I’m certain the gun problem would improve markedly. 

When compared to other Buddhist countries Thailand is streets ahead in the gun violence stakes and when criminals are allowed refuge with a change of gowns this speaks volumes for their acceptance of the problem. 

[hansnl]

1 hour ago, Happy enough said:

A step in the right direction updating and making a central database for licenses then having to have licenses renewed etc. (if that ever happens) IMO won't change anything with regards gun crimes and illegal guns as i can't see something like a gun amnesty bringing up much in thailand. that would be like giving money away. so no, nothing's going to change IMO

I think most crimes with guns are done with illegal guns.

And that's exactly where police forces all over the world can't do anything about.

[PhonThong]

3 hours ago, Thailand said:

Could ask advice from Trump.

Found 3rd grade tough did you?

[Bob12345]

12 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

Says a lot about the Thai brand Of Buddhism and how far departed they are from it’s peaceful teachings. The corrupted brand of Buddhism practiced here promotes this behaviour. If they could eliminate the problem they have with face I’m certain the gun problem would improve markedly. 

When compared to other Buddhist countries Thailand is streets ahead in the gun violence stakes and when criminals are allowed refuge with a change of gowns this speaks volumes for their acceptance of the problem. 

How do you link it to buddhism?

 

Even thai buddhism doesnt allow killing, and "face/pride" has little to do with buddhism

[hansnl]

11 minutes ago, Bob12345 said:

No, its not.

The only developed country where it is a problem is the USA. In Europe this barely plays.

What is not a problem in Europe?

Illegal gun ownership?

Yes, that is a big problem.

And don't be so stupid to believe your government, for being able to strengthen gun laws they need to lie.

Use of illegal guns?

Not a problem?

Well, it is a growing problem, mostly related to the growth of non European part of the population.

Of course that fact is in denial.....

 

.

[Bob12345]

11 minutes ago, hansnl said:

I think most crimes with guns are done with illegal guns.

And that's exactly where police forces all over the world can't do anything about.

Except stopping the import of guns, checking owners on safe handling of guns (locking it in a vault), go after gun sellers, and do searches on the streets.

Edited May 12, 2018 by Bob12345

[Bob12345]

13 minutes ago, hansnl said:

And don't be so stupid to believe your government, for being able to strengthen gun laws they need to lie.

Lol, i can already see how this "discussion" will end: everything i say that does not confirm your standpoint is a lie from the government/police/media, and your single source, the only one telling the truth, is some nutcase conspiracy website (or there is no source at all).

 

In most european countries the government does not have a need to strengthen guns laws as guns are not allowed except under extremely strict regulations. Barely anyone has a gun, so why do so much effort to strengthen already strong laws which will barely impact anyone?

 

And no matter how strong the laws, it wont help much against illegal guns used by organized crimes, right?

 

I would have thought you were american, but looking at your username my guess seems wrong. The few drugwar killings in amsterdam which the newspaper "de telegraaf" likes to cover are not representative for increasing gun violence.

 

Please compare killing (adjusted for people in the country) from gun violence in the netherlands, europe, the usa, and thailand and notice the magnitute of difference. Also look at the trend in europe, assume this trend will continue, and calculate how many decennia it will take to even come close to thailand. Now make the case again how it is a problem in your home country and " all over the world".

[Khun Paul]

hen you get OFF DUTY police here carrying guns, what hope is there for the normal chap in the street. Gun violence can be solved albeit slowly with GOOD ENFORCEMENT, unfortunately for Thais that means the RTP and they seem to unable to enforce traffic laws ( where the violator is driving or riding something fairly large ) they stand no chance of enforcing guns laws, those little guns are hard to see 

Edited May 12, 2018 by Khun Paul
spelling

[stanleycoin]

3 hours ago, Get Real said:

Since when has any kind of problem been solved to satisfaction here?

Free speech was sorted out a long time ago here. 

[sambum]

"Studies show that Thailand has a higher rate of gun-related killings per capita than the United States, a country where deadly shootings dominate news headlines and the political agenda"

 

Yay! - isn't it just great to be first at something?
 

[0815]

2 hours ago, Moti24 said:

A good start would be to stop making Thai Soaps that show gun-totting characters as being the norm!

 

This is a world-wide problem, but here in Thailand, it seems gun crimes are destined to be up there with road deaths; perhaps that's the reason nothing's done to curb showing WW3 on tv every night.  Thailand must revel in the thought of being number one in 2 categories.

A world wide problem ?
Guess your home country is not in the central of Europe ?

[sambum]

2 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

No, its not.

The only developed country where it is a problem is the USA. In Europe this barely plays.

An American friend of mine who is normally worldly wise was amazed that you are not allowed to carry a gun in the UK, and that even the police have to have special training and have weapons issued to them only when the situation demands it - not armed as a matter of course. 

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

There are 2 obvious problems in Thai society:

 

1. People are unable to see the consequences of their actions. They easily risk their lives for something as simple as someone using their car horn at them. This can be due to low education, a believe in karma, little self control, etc. All hard to change on a grand scale.

 

2. Society is rigged and you need to get "justice" for yourself. In my home country i can call the cops in case of trouble and they will make arrests when necessary (based upon laws being broken). Nothing i have to do except pressing charges. Over here there is no functioning police force; you shoot the person yourself or nothing will be done.

 

Perfectly put.

[connda]

First they call for guns to be taken away from the average citizens.  Then they call for knives to be taken away from the average citizens.  Afterward they'll demand the ban of forks, spoons, and chopsticks for the average citizen.  All the while, those who do not represent the 'average citizen' pool will gain access to guns, knives, and any other sharp object that can be used as a weapon, and use them to victimize -- the average citizen.  The 'average citizen' in not the problem.  And taking weapons away from the average citizen doesn't make those citizens safer.  On the contrary, it makes them more prone to becoming victims of those who could care less about the sanctity of human life, societal norms, or the law. 
So, at least in Thailand the average citizen can protect themselves against grievous bodily harm within the confines of there home, i.e., they can legally own a firearm for home use.  And for those who believe that firearms should be banned, well folks, lets start with banning vehicles instead as vehicles are responsible for more deaths in Thailand than guns or other weapons.  And for the most part, the average Thai wields their vehicle much like a weapon.  It's used to threaten, intimidate, injure, and kill by a huge portion of the population. 
So lets saves lives!  Ban cars, trucks, and motorcycles first!!!  Then after that, they can go after the guns (knives, forks, spoons, and chopsticks). 

And for those who think the police are the world's guardian angels, unfortunately, when seconds count the police are just minutes away. That's just a fact of life. So, at the end of the day, the only person who can truly protect you - is you!  The folks who understand that maintain weapons within their homes and are willing (and hopefully trained although many are not) to protect their lives and the lives of their family. 

Deaths per 100,000
---------------------------------------------------
Guns:          4.4 per 100,000
Vehicles:  36.6 per 100,000

Edited May 12, 2018 by connda

[Artisi]

5 hours ago, Get Real said:

Since when has any kind of problem been solved to satisfaction here?

If watches, land, or unsubstantiated wealth is involved the problems (what problems) are easily solved. 

[Artisi]

59 minutes ago, sambum said:

"Studies show that Thailand has a higher rate of gun-related killings per capita than the United States, a country where deadly shootings dominate news headlines and the political agenda"

 

Yay! - isn't it just great to be first at something?
 

Come on TAT, let's hear it, the hub of gun deaths. 

[KiwiKiwi]

3 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

How do you link it to buddhism?

 

Even thai buddhism doesnt allow killing, and "face/pride" has little to do with buddhism

Agree, Buddhism is just another aspect of the Thai wet-dream. It's bogus. Thais are not good Buddhists any more than they're good anything else.

[AntDee]

Thailand is awash in weapons from the post Vietnam smuggling, police selling old weapons for cash and now from kids making guns (like pen guns). 

 

The solution in Thailand needs to center around 2 things:

 

1) cultural maturation especially with regard to the men. This will require incredible, long term effort. 

 

2) incredibly rigid and harsh penalties for offenders. Example - convicted of murder, non-negotiable 40 years in prison with no pardons. 

[CanuckThai]

Here's a comforting excerpt for the story....

 

The Department of Corrections handpicks the “geniuses” of homemade weapon making to get a better impression of how criminal groups are operating, and in the process hope to turn them into patriotic citizens.

 

“Some of those people make the gun themselves. They are a kind of naughty boy making the gun and trying to do something with it. So they will gain the knowledge, skills and experience of how the army works, how we develop our own weapons and on the other hand, the army, the government will gain some new ideas from them,” he said.

 

[Telly]

rubbish piece of crap news

It's obvious the writer just wanted to churn out an article to meet his deadline. 

The example used is 12 years old,  obvious sign he dug up via net and pieced whatever he wanted together. 

Studies have shown... Where's the fact? It's just fluff. 

Guns are but a distant killer in Thailand,  the roads are the number one menace yesterday, today, and tomorrow.