Gun Laws in Thailand

[up-country_sinclair]

My brother in law legally purchased a handgun about two years ago.  I've been told he has a valid license and the purchase was 100% legal.  No one in the family supported the purchase but he's an adult and there wasn't much anyone could do to stop him.  

 

Anyway, his less than clever girlfriend posted photos on Facebook this morning of her posing with what appears to be semi-automatic rifle.  I'm not a gun expert, but this is more or less what the gun looks like:

 

 

 

 

To me this looks like the type of gun that is frequently used in the horrific mass shootings that occur in the US.  Is it legal for a regular Thai citizen to own a gun like this?  He's not a police officer and never spent a day in the military.  

 

My wife and I are currently living outside of Thailand, and when she saw the photos on the girlfriend's facebook page, she nearly had a heart attack.  She's been trying to contact her brother all day, but he's not answering his phone or responding to social media messages and emails.  The girlfriend has also gone quiet and the photos have disappeared. I'm guessing that the girlfriend posted the photos without his knowledge and he's less than pleased.  

 

But as I queried above, can Thais legally own this type of gun?

 

[happynthailand]

"NO",that type of gun is a war weapon,Thai citizen's can't own a weapon like that

[tonray]

Even bullet proof vests are classified as weapons of war here.

[up-country_sinclair]

   That's what I thought/feared.  God only knows where he got it.

 

 

[blackcab]

Firstly, ordinary Thai people can not get a license to own this type of firearm. In Thailand it is classed as a war weapon.

 

That said, you seem to be linking the girlfriend's photos with her boyfriend's legally owned pistol. Why does the weapon have  to belong to the boyfriend?

 

Are you certain it's a weapon and not a BB gun?

[rhythmworx]

Looks like a replica Knights Armament Company PDW, by replica I mean a CO2 powered airsoft gun

 

 

[Don Mega]

5 hours ago, tonray said:

Even bullet proof vests are classified as weapons of war here.

 

A vest is classified as a weapon in many countries.

[tonray]

1 hour ago, Don Mega said:

 

A vest is classified as a weapon in many countries.

Correct. But the difference is that in America, for example, it is not illegal to own or wear unless you are a convicted felon. Here it will get you put in jail.

[Don Mega]

1 minute ago, tonray said:

Correct. But the difference is that in America, for example, it is not illegal to own or wear unless you are a convicted felon. Here it will get you put in jail.

 

 

Break the law and go to jail, what a strange concept !!

[Kwasaki]

What's the big deal girlfriend messed up, why the fuss his had the hand gun 2 years already.

[jacksam]

11 hours ago, happynthailand said:

"NO",that type of gun is a war weapon,Thai citizen's can't own a weapon like that

 

True but i think you can buy em at wallmart in USA

[playboy]

Equal or greater than 12 inch long and greater than 1 hp power chainsaw is illegal and need permit to use in Thailand!

[Gary A]

Since I am a guest in this country, I abide by all the rules. Even the rules I consider to be silly. I want to stay here. For the past couple of years I have been trying to legally buy and possess an air rifle. I still have not been able to buy one.

[Strange]

6 hours ago, Don Mega said:

11 hours ago, tonray said:

Even bullet proof vests are classified as weapons of war here.

 

A vest is classified as a weapon in many countries.

 

Not in the US... Sure no one will be surprised though. 

[GarryP]

4 minutes ago, Gary A said:

Since I am a guest in this country, I abide by all the rules. Even the rules I consider to be silly. I want to stay here. For the past couple of years I have been trying to legally buy and possess an air rifle. I still have not been able to buy one.

Get an upgraded bb gun. Not as powerful as an air rifle but a few of the plastic pellets up the bum and pigeons learn to stay away. 

[joeyg]

And foreigners can own guns but not tourists. http://travel.cnn.com/bangkok/shop/bangkok-gun-shops-why-you-dont-want-buy-glock-thailand-009893/

 

http://www.thailand-th.net/thailand_gun_laws.html

 

[Strange]

1 hour ago, jacksam said:

True but i think you can buy em at wallmart in USA

 

You can, its true. Not all walmart locations but a vast majority in my area sell AR15's and ammunition. 

 

51 minutes ago, bark said:

Yes, that's why American is so Great.

 

Yes. The right to protect yourself without fear of prosecution is a wonderful thing. 

 

 

[Strange]

9 minutes ago, Don Mega said:

Thankfully most countries are not like the US.

 

Come on, no need to go there. US and AU are cool. We got the gun thing ingrained in our DNA (Unless your a Lib) so were a little different. 

[MikeyIdea]

59 minutes ago, bark said:

Yes, that's why American is so Great.

 

21 minutes ago, lvr181 said:

Love your sense of humour.

 

Number One is the world in unprovoked school shootings where psychos go berserk and kill innocent students, been going on for years now and no improvement

 

The only way to see that attitude without crying is sarcastically, unless you're American perhaps

 

[Strange]

6 minutes ago, joeyg said:

Walmart stopped selling guns a few years back.  At least in San Diego.  When ammo does come in it just about completely sells out in a few days.  I got the manager in sporting goods phone number when I was there so I could beat the rush.

 

Thats illegal. 

 

Also, California is not a very good example of the USA as a whole in regards to firearms atmosphere. 

[joeyg]

2 minutes ago, MikeyIdea said:

 

 

Number One is the world in unprovoked school shootings where psychos go berserk and kill innocent students, been going on for years now and no improvement

 

The only way to see that attitude without crying is sarcastically, unless you're American perhaps

 

However FYI Thailand has twice the gun violence deaths of the USA.  Just sayin' 

 

[Strange]

Thais can own guns here, the wife bought one legally here a few years back. They can use them in self defense in their home/property. So yes they can buy them AND use them legally within reason. 

 

I forget the entire process but it was a lot of local Amphur trips with family and poo-yai-baan. They look at your character and your assets and see if there are enough to warrant you needing a firearm. 

 

Ended up she got a Glock 19 Gen4 for like 85,000 baht. All in with permits and stuff probably over 100k. USA can buy second hand for like $300

[speckio]

probably an air soft gun or replica...  not only are gun laws fairly strict in Thailand guns are also extremely expensive by american standards...  when i arrived in Thailand i wanted to replace some of the guns i owned in the US since i couldn't legally bring them over with me.... After doing some research decided i didn't need a new glock that badly... was expecting something around the 15,000-20,000 baht mark... turned out to be around the 70,000-80,000 mark.

 

You also have to jump through a few hoops and only property owners can purchase and own guns.

 

decided to go with billy clubs and hand crossbows.

[MikeyIdea]

4 minutes ago, joeyg said:

However FYI Thailand has twice the gun violence deaths of the USA.  Just sayin' 

 

 

Big difference in where this happens. I talk about unprovoked school shootings. Keep on sayin'...

 

The good thing with Thai violence is that it is not unprovoked

[joeyg]

Semi-autos are also legal for Thai citizens.

[Strange]

14 hours ago, up-country_sinclair said:

Is it legal for a regular Thai citizen to own a gun like this?

 

Im like 99% sure he either stole the image of the net or its a variation of an Airsoft BB-type gun. 

 

Brother in law has a pretty real looking one that takes CO2 cartridges. 

[joeyg]

1 minute ago, MikeyIdea said:

 

Big difference in where this happens. I talk about unprovoked school shootings. Keep on sayin'...

 

The good thing with Thai violence is that it is not unprovoked

What!? 

[Strange]

7 minutes ago, MikeyIdea said:

The good thing with Thai violence is that it is not unprovoked

 

This is a head-scratcher....

[ronaldo0]

I would say its a replica that fires plastic balls using gas.

Doubt very much he could legally get a real weapon like that with a gun license here.

As far as I know Thais can have a gun if they go through all the correct channels etc and it is for home defense or target practice at a range. I think the storage rules for the gun and ammo are quite strict also.

I was told a non Thai can have a gun also but it would be used for target practice and they need to apply through correct way. They seemingly cannot use it for home defense , but if they have a Thai wife then the she can fire it at a person trying to break in etc. You would need very good cause , good lawyer and lot of money to get off with shooting someone I reckon.

I find my dogs are enough to keep people away !!

[MikeyIdea]

11 minutes ago, joeyg said:

What!? 

 

Don't quite know what you mean. Unprovoked violence has been on the rise in western civilizations for a few decades now. I'm not saying that it won't come to Thailand too, it probably will but it is fortunately still very low here

 

I feel much safer here than I ever would in London, Paris or American cities. I can go with my 11 year old daughter in the Khlong Toey slum night time and still feel safe, no one would hurt us. And yes, I have done this

 

Main reason is attitude - steal, yes that happens of course, hurt and maim unnecessarily when it can be avoided, no. That is fortunately still a western thing

 

There is a point in doing nothing despite all the gun violence in the US.... Not a good one though