Transport Bangkok Cops Denied BTS Entry Over Gun Rules: Poll

[webfact]

Bangkok Cops Denied BTS Entry Over Gun Rules

 

ASEAN NOW file photo

 

BANGKOK - Thai police are raising alarms after being barred from carrying firearms on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain, sparking a social media storm.

 

BTS regulations strictly prohibit any weapons, except for those carried by legally authorised government officials. However, several officers have reportedly been blocked from boarding, despite being on duty and in full uniform.

 

The controversy erupted after LAPD officer Worraphop “Mark” Yunkiat shared a story on social media about a Thai officer being denied BTS access. The officer claimed BTS staff asked for his firearm licence, even demanding he conceal his weapon.

 

In the US, public transport is secured by armed officers due to potential threats, Mark noted, urging BTS to reassess their policies and allow armed officers onboard for passenger safety.

 

A Thai officer recounted being turned away during the Songkran Festival, unable to board without a firearm licence despite being in uniform. Another reported a humiliating removal from a train for the same reason.

 

The ongoing debate raises questions about balancing security measures with practical law enforcement needs on public transport. It's unclear whether BTS will change its policies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-15

 

 

[mfd101]

Given the daily crowds on the BTS, the notion of police officers drawing & using their weapons to protect the innocent is ludicrous.

 

Kill one criminal and 20 innocents in the process ...

[impulse]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Given the daily crowds on the BTS, the notion of police officers drawing & using their weapons to protect the innocent is ludicrous.

 

Kill one criminal and 20 innocents in the process ...

 

OTOH, how are they supposed to get from home to work?

 

[transam]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Given the daily crowds on the BTS, the notion of police officers drawing & using their weapons to protect the innocent is ludicrous.

 

Kill one criminal and 20 innocents in the process ...

 I think any cop is trained in using a weapon..........🤭

[transam]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

OTOH, how are they supposed to get from home to work?

 

Who.......? 🤔

[richard_smith237]

They carry them everywhere else while on-duty, busy streets etc... What difference does it make on the BTS ?

 

Are the Police permitted to enter shopping malls with their guns when on duty ?... i.e. attending a crime or even simply gabbing a coffee.

 

If, the Police are to attend a violent crime on the BTS station, are they expected to 'leave their guns' elsewhere ?

 

This is all just a little bit silly IMO.

[Liverpool Lou]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

If, the Police are to attend a violent crime on the BTS station, are they expected to 'leave their guns' elsewhere ?

You don't think that there's a massive difference between police attending a violent crime on the station and an officer's personal travel on the train?

[Liverpool Lou]

26 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

OTOH, how are they supposed to get from home to work?

 

Without their weapons on display is how.   

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The controversy erupted after LAPD officer Worraphop “Mark” Yunkiat shared a story on social media about a Thai officer being denied BTS access. The officer claimed BTS staff asked for his firearm licence, even demanding he conceal his weapon.

Sounds like complete hearsay cobblers.  Police officers without a bike or car and therefore needing to use the BTS...yeah right.

[josephbloggs]

 

5 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You don't think that there's a massive difference between police attending a violent crime on the station and an officer's personal travel on the train?

Perhaps you missed the bit about them being on duty and in uniform?

[novacova]

Of course, what good is law enforcement without a law enforcement tool.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

14 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

You don't think that there's a massive difference between police attending a violent crime on the station and an officer's personal travel on the train?

Perhaps you missed the bit about them being on duty and in uniform?

No, I didn't.   Why would an on-duty RTP police officer be using the BTS?  Don't be ridiculous.

[bg53]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai officer being denied BTS access. The officer claimed BTS staff asked for his firearm licence, even demanding he conceal his weapon.

 

The story is unclear whether the requests by the staff were complied with.

[bkk6060]

Very stupid.  Hell yes they should be allowed to carry guns.

[sungod]

19 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, I didn't.   Why would an on-duty RTP police officer be using the BTS?  Don't be ridiculous.

 

Ah, to travel somewhere? 

 

Just a wild guess. 

[sqwakvfr]

Bangkok Cops Denied BTS Entry Over Gun Rules

What is this.  I thought I was reading the LA Times.  There are locations in CA that actually apply this nonsense. 

[Yagoda]

34 minutes ago, novacova said:

Of course, what good is law enforcement without a law enforcement tool.

Irrational views of firearms from those who are scared of them.

[richard_smith237]

57 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

If, the Police are to attend a violent crime on the BTS station, are they expected to 'leave their guns' elsewhere ?

You don't think that there's a massive difference between police attending a violent crime on the station and an officer's personal travel on the train?

 

Read again.

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, several officers have reportedly been blocked from boarding, despite being on duty and in full uniform.

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Very stupid.  Hell yes they should be allowed to carry guns.

 

A different subject - but given the standards of training.. then No.. Not at all - no 'standard' police officer should be permitted to carry a gun anywhere - until they are fully trained as part of a dedicated fire-arms unit.

 

But, IF there were specialised fire-arms units, then yes, they should be permitted to carry where-ever they see fit.

 

 

In the UK the British Transport Police firearms officers use the London Underground network - not primarily to patrol on trains, but to move between jobs via Tube trains and are known to do so fairly regularly.

 

There is no policy in the UK the that prevents 'other' firearms officers from other divisions from using the London Underground network.

 

I'm using the above example as a parallel - there is no reason not to permit trained fire-arms professionals from using public transport while armed when on duty

 

 

This opens up another issue - storage of weapons when off-duty.  In Thailand they just keep hold of them, carry them in a bag, or leave then in the car when they hit the bars, or on the side at home.

 

Whereas in the UK - firearms officers cannot take their weapons home.

They either store them at BTP or Met police stations with authorised storage facilities.

And / Or in regional operations centres, such as the Met’s MO19 bases.

 

 

This highlights the stark differences between gun control between the UK and Thailand...  

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

14 hours ago, transam said:

I think any cop is trained in using a weapon..........🤭

I have my doubts in Thailand.

[newbee2022]

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This highlights the stark differences between gun control between the UK and Thailand..

And now please the difference between Burundi or Timbuktu and Thailand. 😴🥱😴🥱

[SportRider]

"LAPD" 😂😂

[Homburg]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

BANGKOK - Thai police are raising alarms after being barred from carrying firearms on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain

Had they actually purchased tickets for their journeys?

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Should Thai police officers be allowed to carry firearms while riding the BTS Skytrain?

I think it's ok,as long as they are drunk.

[jwl53]

16 hours ago, transam said:

 I think any cop is trained in using a weapon..........🤭

Not so, PC Somchai is show how to pull the trigger, oh yes that's training I forgot

[riverhigh]

As a BTS user for many years, I see no need for boys in brown swaggin' down the aisles showing off their firearms. I hope BTS keeps their policy in place.

[Srikcir]

15 hours ago, novacova said:

Of course, what good is law enforcement without a law enforcement tool.

A brain?

[animalmagic]

15 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, I didn't.   Why would an on-duty RTP police officer be using the BTS?  Don't be ridiculous.

Perhaps he needs to get to the scene of a crime/accident quickly and the roads are gridlocked? 

[VocalNeal]

15 hours ago, novacova said:

Of course, what good is law enforcement without a law enforcement tool.

 

I don't know. Ask a British or Norwegian policeman? 

 

[animalmagic]

17 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Given the daily crowds on the BTS, the notion of police officers drawing & using their weapons to protect the innocent is ludicrous.

 

Kill one criminal and 20 innocents in the process ...

The cop would have to reload at least once to achieve those stats.