Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was stopped and searched at a police checkpoint in Buriram on 16 August, as authorities intensified a province-wide operation against firearms and drugs.

Anutin was in the area on official duties when officers at a checkpoint in Ban Dan Subdistrict, Ban Dan District, searched him in the same way as other members of the public. The operation also covered several other locations across Buriram province.

The joint effort by administrative officials and police follows Anutin's policy to tighten firearms control and curb the spread of guns in society.

PM asks what officers found

During the search, Anutin asked officers: "Did you find anything?"

A police officer replied: "No, sir."

The prime minister then clarified: "I mean at the checkpoints around here?"

The officer answered: "We only found drugs, sir."

Gun permit freeze follows violent cases

The latest firearms crackdown comes after a number of violent cases that have drawn public concern in Thailand. These include a shooting at a school carried out by a 14-year-old.

Other cases cited include an allegation that the son of a prominent politician used a gun to hit a fellow student, and the shooting of Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert, the former president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation. Former politician Chalong Riawreng is alleged to have carried out that shooting.

The government says it wants to address the issue at its source and stop firearms reaching circumstances that could result in further violence.

Gun permit issuing remains on hold

Previously, Anutin ordered a halt to the issue of firearm purchase permits, known as Por.3, and firearm possession permits, known as Por.4, until the Cabinet decides otherwise.

He also told the Department of Provincial Administration to stop the practice of awarding firearms to subdistrict headmen and village headmen.

The measures are intended to protect public lives and property. Foreigners who own, seek to buy or bring firearms into Thailand should note that the suspension applies to the country's permit system, while checkpoint enforcement is now being visibly expanded.

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17 August 2026

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6 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Anutin was in the area on official duties when officers at a checkpoint in Ban Dan Subdistrict, Ban Dan District, searched him in the same way as other members of the public.

Wow, that was certainly a thorough search using x-ray eyes from a distance