Thailand’s gun controls face three persistent loopholes
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Thailand’s firearm controls face three persistent gaps involving illegal and modified guns sold outside the registration system, insufficient oversight of legally owned weapons after licences are issued, and the transfer of firearms bought through government welfare schemes.
The weaknesses have returned to attention following the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School on August 7, 2026, and the shooting of the chairman of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation three days later.
Since 2020, Thailand has experienced at least 13 serious firearm incidents, underscoring problems ranging from legal and illegal access to online sales and the use of weapons belonging to officials or family members.
Small Arms Survey estimates put the number of civilian-held firearms in Thailand at about 10.34 million, comprising approximately 6.22 million registered weapons and more than 4 million unregistered firearms. Earlier Small Arms Survey figures cited by Nation Thailand similarly put civilian holdings at more than 10.3 million, including about 4 million illegal weapons.
The figures indicate that tackling illegal guns alone would leave substantial questions over registered firearms and weapons acquired through government welfare schemes.
