Prime Minister Bans Shotguns as Raffle Prizes Following Koh Phangan Incident

On August 13, 2026, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul issued a directive to the Department of Provincial Administration to cease the practice of offering shotguns as raffle prizes. This intervention follows a recent celebration for Kamnan and village headmen on Koh Phangan, where five long-barrelled shotguns were presented as rewards.

Speaking at Impact Muang Thong Thani, the Prime Minister emphasized the necessity of halting these giveaways immediately. While the directive addresses administrative practices, it highlights ongoing government scrutiny regarding the distribution of firearms in public settings.

For residents and travellers, this development underscores the Thai government's tightening stance on firearm visibility and distribution. While the event on Koh Phangan was a localized celebration, the Prime Minister’s swift response indicates a broader policy shift aimed at preventing the normalization of weapons as prizes in community events.

At this stage, it remains to be confirmed how the Department of Provincial Administration will implement this ban across other provinces and whether any further regulatory measures will be introduced to govern raffle prizes at public gatherings. Observers are waiting to see if this directive will lead to stricter oversight of local administrative events nationwide.