The Democrat Party spokesperson criticized the government's gun control policy as lacking direction, noting that police and state officials are left unarmed while criminals can easily buy guns online. This creates inequality in the safety of citizens' lives and property, prompting calls to dismantle illegal gun trading networks.
On 12 August 2026, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, commented on the government's strict policy to suspend all firearms purchase licenses, including for police and state officials. While the policy appears well-intentioned to reduce social violence, in reality it creates safety disparities among Thai citizens, which is deeply concerning. It must be acknowledged that illegal and homemade guns are easily purchased online through platforms like X, TikTok, and Facebook, where sales, reviews, and deliveries happen openly like normal goods. The Prime Minister's claim that online spaces are difficult to control should not justify neglect or surrender to the problem, as this effectively allows the black market for firearms to flourish freely. The direct consequence of suspending all firearms licenses is that police officers, who face daily risks, are left unarmed. With law enforcement unarmed but criminals freely buying illegal guns, who can we entrust with the safety of life and property?
The Democrat Party spokesperson further proposed that the government must address the problem directly by uprooting illegal online gun trading networks through coordinated efforts with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and cyber police. Authorities should vigorously crack down on pages and groups on platforms like Line that sell illegal guns. Additionally, social media platforms must be pressured to decisively remove such content to prevent Thai society from reaching a state where criminals are better armed than state officials.