Thailand is a Buddhist country, but it is also a country where guns are rampant. It is estimated that there are about 10 million guns in circulation among the civilian population, equivalent to one gun for every 15 people. Thailand also has frequent shootings caused by personal feuds, family disputes or criminal activities.
According to Thai media reports, at about 5 p.m. on the 8th, a shooting occurred in the Kiriratani area of Surat Thani province in southern Thailand, killing at least 4 people, and the police are still looking for suspects.
It is reported that the shooting occurred near the home of a former village chief. The local police chief confirmed the death toll to AFP but gave no further details. At present, the motive and background of the case is unclear.
In February 2020, an active-duty Army sergeant shot and killed civilians in a downtown mall, killing 30 people and wounding 58.
And just last October 6, at least 38 people, 24 of them children, were killed after a mass shooting by a former police officer in a nursery; Another 10 people were injured.
So why is there such a gun problem in Thailand? What are the reasons and effects behind this?
This article will analyze the following aspects: Thailand's gun laws, black market trade, gun culture and social environment.
Frequent shootings
Last October, a former police officer shocked the nation by shooting at a day-care centre for young children in Nungmalampu province in the north-eastern province, killing 38 people, 24 of them children.
The shooting occurred at noon on October 6, 2022, and the killer, Kamrab, a former police officer, was fired for drug use. He broke into a nursery in Nong Molampu and randomly opened fire on the children and staff inside. There were about 30 children in the nursery at the time, and because of the heavy rain, there were fewer attendees than usual. The killer also slashed some victims with knives.
After the crime, the murderer fled in his white pickup truck, and on the way encountered people who blocked him, he hit it and continued to shoot. He also returned to his home, killed his wife and son, and then committed suicide by swallowing a gun.
The incident killed at least 38 people, including 19 boys, three girls and two adults in the nursery, and 12 others killed by the killers, including himself, his wife and son, while fleeing. A further 12 people were injured, eight of them seriously.
It was one of the worst shootings in Thailand's recent history, prompting strong condemnation and condolences from the nation and the international community.
The Thai government announced a nationwide flag to fly to half-mast on October 7 to observe a moment of silence for the victims, and sent Prime Minister Prayut and cabinet members to the scene to comfort the families of the victims. Thailand's King Maha and Queen Suthida also personally visited the injured in the hospital and said a special funeral would be held for all victims.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNICEF also issued statements on the incident, condemning violence against children and calling for the safety of every learning site.
A police investigation revealed that the killer took drugs before committing the crime and had an argument with his wife. He may be disgruntled by his dismissal and develop hatred for society. He joined the Force in 2012 and was transferred to Nong Molam House in 2019. During this time, he became addicted to drugs, abused firearms under the influence of alcohol, and even shot and killed a resident's pet dog.
Last month, there was also a shooting in Phetcha, which killed three people and injured three, before ending after a 15-hour standoff.
The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. on March 22, 2022 and was carried out by a 29-year-old man named Anucha. He had lived in the local village of Krung Petch and had a personal grudge with some of the villagers. Armed with a 9mm pistol and a shotgun, he drove a white pickup truck and fired indiscriminately in the village.
He first shot and killed a man and a woman in front of a shop in the village, and then killed a man in another part of the village. He also shot at other people in the village, injuring three others.
After receiving the report, the police quickly rushed to the scene and confronted the murderer. The killer fled by car to a nearby mountainous area, where he exchanged gunfire with police. Police dispatched more than 100 officers and used equipment such as helicopters, drones and armored vehicles to try to subdue the killers.
The standoff lasted 15 hours until about 6 a.m. the next morning, when police discovered the killer had been shot to death by his own gun. Police said the killer may have accidentally injured himself during an exchange of gunfire with police, or committed suicide in desperation.
Laws that fail to work
Thailand is a country that allows nationals to legally own guns. According to Thailand's gun control law, anyone who owns a firearm must be at least 20 years old and undergo a background check including a criminal record, and illegal possession of firearms is punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht (about 3,758 yuan).
In addition, applicants will need to provide specific reasons for owning a gun, such as hunting, sport shooting, or self-defense. Guns can only be kept at home, and the gun body, magazines and bullets should be kept separately, and guns cannot be held in public places; Even law enforcement officers are strictly prohibited from owning firearms without uniform, otherwise they violate firearms control laws.
However, Thailand's gun laws are not effective in preventing gun violence.
On the one hand, there is a huge black market gun trade in Thailand, and many unregistered weapons are imported from neighboring countries or flow out of the military or police. On the Internet or at street stalls, people can easily buy unnumbered guns.
In October 2022, a Thai police officer was sentenced to 270 years in prison for stealing as many as 162 firearms from police stations during his two years as a riot policeman, 47 of which he sold on the black market and 115 of which he pawned in pawnshops for cash.
The policeman used his position and authority to steal the firearm from the police station's locker and then used his mobile phone to contact a black market buyer or pawnshop owner to sell or pawn it at a price below market price. He also forged firearms registers and inventory lists to cover up his criminal conduct.
Another example is the February 2020 bloody shooting by a Thai soldier who clashed with his superiors, killing 30 people and wounding 58. The soldier shot his officer and two other colleagues inside the barracks, stole at least one rifle and a pistol and several hundred rounds of ammunition, and then fled the barracks by grabbing a Humvee military vehicle.
Outside, he began to go on a killing spree, while also posting selfies on social platforms and updating the news in real time. He shot people on the side of the road, gas stations, temples and shopping malls, and engaged in a 16-hour standoff and firefight with police. In the end, he was shot dead by the police inside the mall. The soldier reportedly obtained more weapons and ammunition from the black market within the army.
On the other hand, Thailand's gun culture has also influenced people's attitudes towards and use of guns. Many people see gun ownership as a symbol of wealth and privilege, as well as a means of self-defense and dispute resolution. In some rural areas, gun ownership is widespread, and many men carry them in self-defense if they get into an argument with someone.
Thailand has experienced many military coups and political turmoil, and the military and conservative institutions advocate military and law enforcement, which has led many people to have a sense of awe and worship of guns. At the same time, Thailand is also a pluralistic society, and there are contradictions and conflicts between different ethnic groups, religions and regions, which have led to some violent incidents. In this context, many people choose to use firearms to protect themselves and their families, or use firearms to express their dissatisfaction and anger.
Thailand's gun culture also reflects the country's values and lifestyle. Thailand is a country with Buddhism as its main faith, and Buddhism emphasizes karma, reincarnation, and compassion. However, in real life, not everyone can follow the teachings of Buddhism, and some will pursue material comforts, social status, and personal honor.
In this case, guns become a tool to display their wealth and power, and to satisfy their desires and emotions. Some people will use guns to show off their wealth and status, some will use guns to threaten or harm others, and some will use guns to seek thrills or decompression.
At last
Thailand is a country with beautiful scenery, cheap prices and simple folk customs, which attracts many Chinese tourists every year. But Thailand is also a country of rampant guns, drugs and violence, with a number of horrific shootings in recent years, killing and injuring innocent people and children.
These incidents reflect deep-seated problems in Thai society and have had a serious impact on Thailand's security situation and tourism. However, some Singaporeans turn a blind eye to Thailand's gun control and drug problems for some purpose, and even exaggerate the beauty and safety of Thailand, so that tourists ignore the dangers.
This practice is not only irresponsible, but also does not respect life. We should look at Thailand objectively, neither panic nor blindly, and take precautions to protect our own safety and that of others.