wearing a weapon in Thailand

[chrisinth]

Have never ever, in my 13 years in Thailand observed a foreigner walking along the road with a rock, slingshot, pipe, hose, etc in his hand.

Again, since most (but not me) knows everything about it, what can we carry in Thailand?

Pepper spray is legal for self defence in Thailand. Look at 'Asia' in this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_spray

I think pepper spray is legal in Thailand but you still cannot carry it in a public place. For home invasion, OK, for going down the local pub to find someone to use it on, no way...................

[Morden]

Have never ever, in my 13 years in Thailand observed a foreigner walking along the road with a rock, slingshot, pipe, hose, etc in his hand.

Again, since most (but not me) knows everything about it, what can we carry in Thailand?

Pepper spray is legal for self defence in Thailand. Look at 'Asia' in this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_spray

I think pepper spray is legal in Thailand but you still cannot carry it in a public place. For home invasion, OK, for going down the local pub to find someone to use it on, no way...................

That's effectively what the link in my previous post says.

[chrisinth]

So what can be carried in public?

Instincts that tell you when a situation is dangerous and the common sense to understand that if you think you need a weapon to go some place you perhaps ought not to go there in the first place.

Its a good answer but not great. cuz in some countries, cities the dangerous situation level might shift sky high. one soi from an other. or a 5 minutes drive with the car.

Or same street OK in the day, but in the night. or just those bloody dogs as be western people like to go on our walks after dinner alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

I would beg to differ and say that it is a very good answer in relation to Thailand, which is what the topic is about.

But here we go again, the human ego taking over from common sense with the OP asking what weapons are we allowed to carry in Thailand! Through my experience (which will differ from others I know) if a person is carrying a weapon with premeditated intent, for proclaimed self defense reasons, several things are likely to happen:

1. An escalation of a dangerous situation into a potentially lethal one

2. The person carrying the self defense weapon becoming the aggressor (because they think they can).

3. The person carrying the self defense weapon realizing too late that they have the wrong tool for the job.

4. The person carrying the self defense weapon being arrested before any situation develops.

The above are obviously only a few of many more.

If you find yourself in a situation where potential trouble can happen, get yourself and your friends/family out of there. If you are unable to do that, then try and remain calm and appear as calm and submissive as you can.

If you feel potentially threatened by the streets you are walking then don't walk the streets, either get a taxi or use a different route.

If the situation is unavoidable then the chances of you using your weapon of choice for self defense, only for self defense purposes, are remote. The term don't bring a knife to a gun-fight comes to mind! You would look extremely stupid trying to get the top off the pepper spray to use on someone pointing a gun at you. That would only last for a couple of seconds before you got shot...............

Common sense people! That is if your ego will allow for it to happen. Unless you are trained for it, carrying weapons for self defense can be potentially lethal.

[jvs]

You can buy a sonic device which will ward of most dogs,as for wanting something in a spray can you can legally carry bug spray,deodorant and a number of other aggressive sprays which are available at most stores.

It looks to me people from a particular part of the world like the carry a firearm,i have no idea why.

[SickOfEm]

you can legally carry bug spray

That'll stop the knife wielding maniac, pull out the trusty can of bug spray and 'let him ave it'.

[jvs]

Sickofem,seen many soi dogs packing?

[robblok]

dth=20 height=20>

I would beg to differ and say that it is a very good answer in relation to Thailand, which is what the topic is about.

But here we go again, the human ego taking over from common sense with the OP asking what weapons are we allowed to carry in Thailand! Through my experience (which will differ from others I know) if a person is carrying a weapon with premeditated intent, for proclaimed self defense reasons, several things are likely to happen:

1. An escalation of a dangerous situation into a potentially lethal one

2. The person carrying the self defense weapon becoming the aggressor (because they think they can).

3. The person carrying the self defense weapon realizing too late that they have the wrong tool for the job.

4. The person carrying the self defense weapon being arrested before any situation develops.

The above are obviously only a few of many more.

If you find yourself in a situation where potential trouble can happen, get yourself and your friends/family out of there. If you are unable to do that, then try and remain calm and appear as calm and submissive as you can.

If you feel potentially threatened by the streets you are walking then don't walk the streets, either get a taxi or use a different route.

If the situation is unavoidable then the chances of you using your weapon of choice for self defense, only for self defense purposes, are remote. The term don't bring a knife to a gun-fight comes to mind! You would look extremely stupid trying to get the top off the pepper spray to use on someone pointing a gun at you. That would only last for a couple of seconds before you got shot...............

Common sense people! That is if your ego will allow for it to happen. Unless you are trained for it, carrying weapons for self defense can be potentially lethal.

Your post is far to sensible people with low ego who need weapons will object.

There are of course people who would be able to carry a weapon and use it as a last resort but in general your points hit home.

[dao16]

Have never ever, in my 13 years in Thailand observed a foreigner walking along the road with a rock, slingshot, pipe, hose, etc in his hand.

Again, since most (but not me) knows everything about it, what can we carry in Thailand?

Really? My neighborhood is ok, but there is a place I sometimes walk to at night to get some food (they are open a little bit later and better than eating 7-11 stuff). On my way out of our neighborhood, I do grab some decent sized rocks to fend off the dogs and it has saved me a few times. The lady who sells water around here got bit by one just the other day. I told her she should keep some rocks in her pockets!

Thankfully, I usually just take the motorbike.

[NeverSure]

So what can be carried in public?

Instincts that tell you when a situation is dangerous and the common sense to understand that if you think you need a weapon to go some place you perhaps ought not to go there in the first place.

Its a good answer but not great. cuz in some countries, cities the dangerous situation level might shift sky high. one soi from an other. or a 5 minutes drive with the car.

Or same street OK in the day, but in the night. or just those bloody dogs as be western people like to go on our walks after dinner alt=biggrin.png width=20 height=20>

I would beg to differ and say that it is a very good answer in relation to Thailand, which is what the topic is about.

But here we go again, the human ego taking over from common sense with the OP asking what weapons are we allowed to carry in Thailand! Through my experience (which will differ from others I know) if a person is carrying a weapon with premeditated intent, for proclaimed self defense reasons, several things are likely to happen:

1. An escalation of a dangerous situation into a potentially lethal one

2. The person carrying the self defense weapon becoming the aggressor (because they think they can).

3. The person carrying the self defense weapon realizing too late that they have the wrong tool for the job.

4. The person carrying the self defense weapon being arrested before any situation develops.

The above are obviously only a few of many more.

If you find yourself in a situation where potential trouble can happen, get yourself and your friends/family out of there. If you are unable to do that, then try and remain calm and appear as calm and submissive as you can.

If you feel potentially threatened by the streets you are walking then don't walk the streets, either get a taxi or use a different route.

If the situation is unavoidable then the chances of you using your weapon of choice for self defense, only for self defense purposes, are remote. The term don't bring a knife to a gun-fight comes to mind! You would look extremely stupid trying to get the top off the pepper spray to use on someone pointing a gun at you. That would only last for a couple of seconds before you got shot...............

Common sense people! That is if your ego will allow for it to happen. Unless you are trained for it, carrying weapons for self defense can be potentially lethal.

I've posted and posted a link showing that Thailand has the third highest per capita gun murder rate in the world. It's ten times what it is in the US. Link

You are right in all of your suggestions about staying away from trouble, but you aren't right about what happens when a good citizen carries a gun.

Your points:

1. No, what is actually true is that you will become the most polite, least confrontational person you've ever been if you are carrying a gun. If you shoot someone, even if it's a legal shoot, you are in for hell. You will spend months answering questions, losing sleep, paying lawyers, and that's not to mention the nightmares you'll have recalling it for the rest of your life.

2. See #1.

3. If your gun is the wrong tool for the job, then don't get it out. NO ONE in his right mind really wants to shoot someone.

4. Not if you're carrying legally.

[chrisinth]

I would beg to differ and say that it is a very good answer in relation to Thailand, which is what the topic is about.

But here we go again, the human ego taking over from common sense with the OP asking what weapons are we allowed to carry in Thailand! Through my experience (which will differ from others I know) if a person is carrying a weapon with premeditated intent, for proclaimed self defense reasons, several things are likely to happen:

1. An escalation of a dangerous situation into a potentially lethal one

2. The person carrying the self defense weapon becoming the aggressor (because they think they can).

3. The person carrying the self defense weapon realizing too late that they have the wrong tool for the job.

4. The person carrying the self defense weapon being arrested before any situation develops.

The above are obviously only a few of many more.

If you find yourself in a situation where potential trouble can happen, get yourself and your friends/family out of there. If you are unable to do that, then try and remain calm and appear as calm and submissive as you can.

If you feel potentially threatened by the streets you are walking then don't walk the streets, either get a taxi or use a different route.

If the situation is unavoidable then the chances of you using your weapon of choice for self defense, only for self defense purposes, are remote. The term don't bring a knife to a gun-fight comes to mind! You would look extremely stupid trying to get the top off the pepper spray to use on someone pointing a gun at you. That would only last for a couple of seconds before you got shot...............

Common sense people! That is if your ego will allow for it to happen. Unless you are trained for it, carrying weapons for self defense can be potentially lethal.

I've posted and posted a link showing that Thailand has the third highest per capita gun murder rate in the world. It's ten times what it is in the US. Link

You are right in all of your suggestions about staying away from trouble, but you aren't right about what happens when a good citizen carries a gun.

Your points:

1. No, what is actually true is that you will become the most polite, least confrontational person you've ever been if you are carrying a gun. If you shoot someone, even if it's a legal shoot, you are in for hell. You will spend months answering questions, losing sleep, paying lawyers, and that's not to mention the nightmares you'll have recalling it for the rest of your life.

2. See #1.

3. If your gun is the wrong tool for the job, then don't get it out. NO ONE in his right mind really wants to shoot someone.

4. Not if you're carrying legally.

While I agree with the principles of your post NeverSure, the OP is about being allowed to carry weapons in Thailand for self defense. There are very, very few foreigners who will be issued allowed to carry permits, so to keep inside the law I have not referred to guns that much.

[VisaProblem]

You can buy a sonic device which will ward of most dogs,as for wanting something in a spray can you can legally carry bug spray,deodorant and a number of other aggressive sprays which are available at most stores.

It looks to me people from a particular part of the world like the carry a firearm,i have no idea why.

Hi JVS,

I am mountain biking enthusiast and have had a lot of dog problems and bites over the years on rural roads. I have tried the sonic things and they don't really work - maybe on some breeds, but others not at all. And certainly not enough to stop a big dog running at speed. Throwing rocks from a bike presents a problem as you are now riding one handed to clasp the rock, then you have pull your other arm back, then throw it fast and hard which debalances you. The best thing I have found is hissing and having a short piece of flexy hose pipe which can be swung one handed without debalancing you.

Back to the guns thing, I believe for Thais a registered firearm is a registered gun for life (unless you abuse it) when you get your gun registered. However, the BaiBorBorSahm application process that precedes the purchase and registration expires within a year or 6 months if you don't exercise it and buy a gun. Lifelong possession for farangs is ambiguous and when I quit working in the jewelry industry (which gave me cause to have firearms) and surrendered my work permit, I was advised to sell all my firearms without too much delay, which I did. The other real problem with interpreting the law for farangs and applying to possess legal firearms is the lack of tabienbaan which gave me absolutely no end of problems when applying for the initial BaiBorBorSahm, even though application was puuyai supported.

Generally, Thailand is a pretty safe place (Bkk is miles safer than London, Paris or New York) and personally I don't feel any type of weapon is needed when you are just walking the streets with a few thousand baht, ATM card, and a phone in your pocket. As for firearms in rural properties that is a personal choice of the householder. As a farang, wielding a firearm in your own property against an intruder must classify as BukLuk Glang Kuen, or "Trespassing at Night" in which the police with always side with the householder. In the daytime or on the perimeter of the property is, legally speaking, highly risky for a firearm wielding foreigner. Generally, farangs and firearms is "Caveat Emptor" as you are more likely to damage your own right-to-reside here than anything else if you don't follow the law to the absolute letter.