Thai Parliamentary Committee Proposes Major Overhaul of Firearms Act

On August 9, 2026, Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan, Chairman of the House Committee on Police and MP for Saraburi, announced plans to overhaul Thailand’s Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives Act. This initiative follows recent high-profile incidents, including a school shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School and a violent altercation involving a student at a school in the Samsen area.

In alignment with the policy direction of Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the committee intends to collaborate with the Royal Thai Police and the Ministry of Interior to revise the law. The proposed measures aim to strictly prohibit the carrying of firearms in public spaces for both civilians and government officials who are not currently on duty. The committee is also exploring provisions to hold gun owners accountable for the misuse of their weapons.

For residents and travelers, these developments signal a potential shift toward significantly harsher legal consequences for unauthorized firearm possession. While the committee has signaled its intent to pursue these reforms, the specific legislative amendments, the timeline for implementation, and the final scope of the penalties remain to be confirmed through upcoming parliamentary discussions and inter-agency consultations. Observers should monitor official government announcements for updates on how these changes might affect public safety regulations.