Suchart responds promptly to the Prime Minister's gun ban policy, admitting he owns several firearms but as a collection and from his time as an athlete before holding any official position. He insists he is not worried about field visits and considers any harm to him an unfortunate event.
At 06:45 on 12 August 2026, at Sanam Luang, Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, addressed the matter of declaring 12 firearms to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) amid the Prime Minister's policy to enact laws banning carrying weapons. He said the guns are a past collection, much like a man's interest in amulets, a hobby that started before holding any political office. Additionally, the guns relate to sports, as he was once an athlete. He believes the key is having guns responsibly and using them properly. He affirmed his readiness to comply with the Prime Minister's policy.
When asked how he would instruct his team to comply with this policy, Suchart replied that he personally does not carry guns, only police officers assigned to protect him can carry firearms legally. He added that ordinary people cannot carry guns anyway, since the Por 12 licenses have not been issued for several administrations, and those who previously held them have let them expire.
Regarding instructions to ministry officials, Suchart explained that some units within his ministry employ forest rangers and park officers who are legally permitted to carry firearms. These officers carry guns as part of their duties when confronting illegal loggers or intruders in protected areas. However, ordinary civil servants are not allowed to carry weapons.
Asked whether such measures cause concern about personal safety when traveling, Suchart said that since they do not harm anyone, there is no reason for others to harm them. He stressed that they enforce the law as part of their duty.
"If someone harms us, it is simply our misfortune," Suchart said.