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🇸🇬 Singapore /Crime & Justice

In Bangkok's gun district, traders say Thai crackdown misses the mark

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Bangkok's historic gun district is seeing firearms shops transform into bakeries and other businesses due to a ban on importing firearms.
  • The ban, implemented after a 2023 mall shooting, has prompted calls for lifting restrictions, with traders arguing they don't address the root causes of gun violence.
  • Recent proposals to suspend firearm permits and police orders to stop permit renewals could further impact the industry, potentially pushing some towards the black market.

In Bangkok's historic gun district, the once-familiar sight of firearms shops is changing dramatically. Suchart and Friends Gun, a prominent firearms dealer, has transformed its display window into a bakery, showcasing loaves of sourdough bread where pistols and rifles once lined the glass. This shift reflects the severe impact of Thailand's ban on importing firearms, enacted following a 2023 mall shooting.

I do still have hope, because like I've said, selling guns is less tiring than selling bread.

— Warintorn BoonyachaiA firearms shop owner, whose business has pivoted to baking, expressed her desire for the gun import ban to be lifted.

Gun shop owners like Warintorn Boonyachai, who also owns a baking school, have resorted to selling bread to cover staff salaries. While she still hopes for the gun import ban to be lifted, stating that selling guns is "less tiring than selling bread," recent events make this unlikely. A 14-year-old gunman's killing spree earlier this month, which claimed at least seven lives, has led Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to propose suspending new firearm purchasing and ownership permits. Police have also been ordered to halt the renewal of gun purchase permits.

They are not fixing the problem at the right places, because if they did, there would be less crime.

— Thititorn BupparamaneeThe president of the Firearms Traders Association of Thailand criticized the government's approach to gun violence, suggesting it might not be effective.

Thititorn Bupparamanee, president of the Firearms Traders Association of Thailand, argues that these measures miss the mark. "They are not fixing the problem at the right places, because if they did, there would be less crime," he stated. Bupparamanee warned that banning legal gun purchases might inadvertently drive individuals to the black market, potentially exacerbating the problem.

The ban on the public purchasing legal guns through legal means may force some people to turn to the black market.

— Thititorn BupparamaneeThe president of the Firearms Traders Association warned that stricter regulations could inadvertently fuel the illegal arms trade.

Thailand has the second-highest rate of private gun ownership in Asia, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, including approximately 4 million unregistered weapons. The industry is valued at around 2 billion baht ($60.40 million). Despite the crackdown, some, like the mother of a student who fled the recent school shooting, support gun ownership rights but advocate for stricter controls, particularly on carrying weapons outside the home.

There definitely should be a scrutiny everywhere on weapons, because knives are also as scary.

— Mother of a studentA parent whose child fled a school shooting expressed support for stricter controls on weapons, emphasizing the need for scrutiny beyond just firearms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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