Thailand's government has announced an immediate suspension of new gun permit applications following a mass shooting last week that left eight people dead. The country's prime minister has pledged to expedite the implementation of stricter gun control legislation with severe penalties.
Existing gun owners are prohibited from carrying firearms in public spaces. Thailand has a high rate of civilian gun ownership in the region, with approximately 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession and significant levels of gun crime.
The recent incident involved a 14-year-old who fatally shot his grandparents with his grandfather's handgun before opening fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School outside Bangkok. The victims included both of the shooter's grandparents, five school staff members, and a 12-year-old girl.
Authorities are investigating the possibility that the shooter learned to handle firearms through social media. Evidence suggests the boy consumed violent online content and showed a strong interest in firearms. Investigators are also considering whether his engagement with this content, coupled with anxiety over academic and family issues, contributed to his actions.