A gunman was arrested after opening fire at a local government office near Bangkok on Monday, days after a deadly school shooting renewed debate over gun control in Thailand.
The suspect, described as a former lawmaker, reportedly opened fire at a senior provincial official. Two people were injured and taken to hospital.
The incident came days after a shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School left nine people dead, including the suspected 14-year-old gunman, and wounded more than 20 others.
Following the school shooting, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reiterated his intention to strengthen gun controls. Authorities also installed metal detectors and increased security at the school.
Thailand’s Education Ministry has announced plans to develop new school safety protocols over the next three months following the shooting.
The measures are expected to include mental health screenings, emergency response drills, efforts to address bullying and improved detection of weapons and other prohibited items.
The government has also ordered tougher enforcement against people carrying firearms in public places. Police are expected to establish checkpoints and strengthen controls over the possession, carrying and use of firearms.
“No one has the right to carry a firearm, especially in a public place,” Anutin told reporters.
Thailand has one of the highest levels of civilian gun ownership in Southeast Asia. A 2017 estimate by the Small Arms Survey put the number of firearms in civilian possession at around 10.3 million, equivalent to approximately 15 guns per 100 residents.
Thailand’s current firearm licensing system does not require mental health screening for people applying to possess a gun. It also allows people aged 20 and over to own firearms and does not require periodic reassessments of licence holders.
The government’s latest measures come as authorities face renewed pressure to strengthen firearm regulations following a series of violent incidents.
U.S. efforts to squeeze Iran’s economy through an oil blockade and sanctions are becoming increasingly difficult for Tehran to withstand, acc...
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citi...
The 83rd Venice Film Festival has opened on the Lido, bringing Hollywood stars and leading filmmakers together for a programme dominated by war, po...
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August and 2 September.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
The Iranian Army has again struck at U.S. bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in retaliation for U.S. attacks on southern and western parts of Iran late on Tuesday, which reportedly killed 18 people and injured more than 100 others.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia then Ukraine over the weekend, Russian state news agency TASS has reported, citing an unnamed source. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also said American envoys will visit the capitals of both countries.
Southern Chinese provinces were bracing for more torrential rain on Friday after Typhoon Saudel triggered severe flooding, swamping vehicles, collapsing at least one building and forcing mass evacuations.
President Donald Trump is leaving more than a paper trail from his time in office. The U.S. is now minting commemorative $1 coins for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a portrait of the sitting president.
Pacific Island leaders expressed concern about China's Pacific missile test at their annual summit, though Nauru formally dissented, in a meeting largely overshadowed by Beijing's objections to Taiwan's presence.
China’s southern coastal provinces of Fujian and Guangdong are bracing for more torrential rain after Typhoon Saudel triggered widespread flooding, swept away vehicles and caused a three-storey building to collapse.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment