Deputy Commissioner-General of Police has ordered a crackdown on illegal firearms, guns in unauthorized possession, and unlawful carrying of weapons. The strategy raises the level of breaking the cycle of violence starting from families, schools, and public areas. The law will be enforced seriously and effectively, prioritizing enforcement over persuasion or negotiation. He confirmed strict prosecution without compromise, including politicians found possessing firearms. Additionally, penalties will be increased. Police will continue checkpoints, searches, and intensify blocking of online gun sales.
At 11:00 a.m. on 13 Aug 2026 at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters, Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, Deputy Commissioner-General responsible for crime prevention and suppression, revealed proactive measures to address crime problems, control firearms, and sustainably break the cycle of violence in society. This follows Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul's directive to the Royal Thai Police to enhance crime prevention and suppression strictly in all dimensions, especially after the recent mass shooting incidents at a school and involving the Nonthaburi provincial administrative organization president.
Regarding the extended investigation into juvenile offenders in schools, preliminary examinations of computers and mobile phones of the perpetrators showed interest and searches in three main areas: mass shooting events, self-harm mechanisms, and the brain's perception time after being shot, including lifestyle and prison experience. The Royal Thai Police assigned forensic officers to analyze website histories, social media, and YouTube channels with violent content to deeply analyze behavior from all angles. This analysis will support prevention planning to avoid repeat incidents, while investigators continue expanding the case.
On enforcement, Police General Thatchai said that Police General Kittirat Phanphet, the National Police Chief, ordered a proactive approach beyond routine duties, emphasizing breaking the violence cycle from the start: family violence, community conflicts, school problems, violent psychiatric patients, and urban violence. Particularly for family violence cases, such as husband assaulting wife, investigators are instructed to prosecute immediately without compromise or negotiation. This follows legal guidelines supported by research showing strict law enforcement is more effective in reducing violence than allowing settlements as before.
Moreover, management of psychiatric patients prone to violence, or ‘red zone’ groups, has been elevated by cooperating with communities and relevant agencies to monitor them, preventing them from living uncontrolled in society without medication or treatment. Efforts focus on preventing repeated offenses. Police emphasize that if a psychiatric patient or violent person commits an offense, besides being sent for treatment under the Mental Health Act, criminal charges such as property damage or theft will be strictly applied to remove violent individuals from the area. This approach has received positive feedback from community residents.
Police General Thatchai clarified concerns about officers’ weapon use, affirming that strict law enforcement means firm prosecution through justice processes, not extrajudicial killings. In crisis or mass shooting situations where perpetrators aim or shoot at civilians or officers, police weapon use must follow tactics from minimal to maximal force within legal bounds for self-defense or defense of others to end violence swiftly. Meanwhile, the prevention and suppression division continues regular active shooter response drills as usual.
From 1 Jan to 13 Aug 2026, statistics show most seized firearms are directly linked to drug cases involving both dealers and users. Police focus on searching, arresting, and clearing firearms alongside drug suppression, including strict checkpoints targeting illegal guns and registered guns carried without permission. These checkpoints adhere to standards ensuring transparency, safety, and minimal public inconvenience.
It is acknowledged that in the past, issues arose concerning searches of citizens carrying firearms in various locations. Moving forward, searches will be intensified, and the public who legally own firearms but lack carrying permits are advised not to carry them in public. If discovered during checks, legal action will be taken.
To prevent problems in schools, the police assigned D.A.R.E. teachers, digital police, and volunteer police to expand cooperation with schools closely, beyond drug and call center scam campaigns. They will increase monitoring, screening, and assessing warning signs regarding bullying and violence in schools.
Additionally, relevant police units have increased efforts to combat online firearm trafficking. The Royal Thai Police coordinated with e-commerce platforms and social media companies to use artificial intelligence (AI) systems to detect, block, and prevent postings selling firearms, firearm replicas, or modification equipment from the outset. Investigators are ordered to accelerate sting operations and seriously prosecute sellers and manufacturers, including influential groups, local politicians, or individuals carrying guns illegally, as per the National Police Chief’s orders without exception.
For additional firearm control measures, the Royal Thai Police has directed the 191 emergency call centers that if a report is received about a person exhibiting violent behavior, intoxication, rage, or family conflicts and possessing firearms, officials should immediately propose to the administrative registry officer to consider revoking that person’s firearm possession license.
Simultaneously, strict instructions have been given regarding police officers carrying firearms, emphasizing that only those on investigative or suppression duty have tactical authority to carry weapons. Officers carrying guns off duty, late at night, while drinking, or outside official duties will face strict criminal and disciplinary actions without exception, like ordinary citizens.
Regarding politicians possessing large numbers of firearms, Police General Thatchai said all must be inspected and laws enforced fully. If found carrying or possessing guns without permission or illegally, strict and equal legal action will be taken. There will be no exemptions for anyone. The Royal Thai Police will intensify enforcement and push for heavier penalties for gun-related offenses, including use of guns in crimes. Several cases have already seen license revocations for carrying or owning firearms seriously enforced.
Regarding local politicians conducting lucky draws awarding five long-barrel shotguns in Koh Phangan, Surat Thani Province, and cases of shooting athletes carrying firearms for practice, decisions depend on the discretion of the responsible agencies. Plainclothes police officers (investigators) carrying firearms for duty may do so, but carrying guns in public or restaurants depends on individual acceptance of legal consequences if caught, as it constitutes a legal offense.