Thailand's government has announced an immediate suspension of new gun permits following a shooting incident last week. A 14-year-old killed eight people and himself in the incident.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has promised to pass tough new gun control laws with severe penalties. The suspension of new permits will remain in place while the government works on these new laws.
Authorities state that last Friday, a pupil at Debsirin Nonthaburi School outside Bangkok shot his grandparents using a handgun owned by his grandfather. He then opened fire at teachers and students at the school. Both grandparents, five school staff members, and a 12-year-old girl died.
There is evidence that the boy watched violent content online and showed a strong interest in handling guns, authorities said. They added that his consumption of this content, along with anxiety over studies and family issues, might have fuelled his actions.
Existing gun owners are already banned from carrying their weapons in public, a measure suspended in late 2023. The government is also considering measures to persuade owners of an estimated four million unlicensed guns to hand them over.