The Prime Minister revealed he has ordered three agencies to resolve issues arising from gun control policies that have hindered shooting athletes from practicing, and has instructed local administrative officials to stop awarding firearms as prizes to village heads and subdistrict chiefs.
On 14 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, spoke about the practice of awarding firearms to village heads and subdistrict chiefs as prizes. He said, "I have issued a policy that, given the government's current focus on gun control, the format of awarding prizes should be changed." The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration agreed, and this was included in his opening remarks at the first workshop on implementing government security policies at the local level. When asked about traditions of giving guns as prizes, the Prime Minister emphasized, "This is now government policy."
Regarding the Shooting Sport Association's objection that strict gun control affects athletes' training and competitions, Anutin said the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the Shooting Sport Association are coordinating and discussing the matter. He confirmed that additional gun control laws will certainly be introduced.
"When we talk about control, many questions arise: what does this mean exactly? If firearms are not allowed to be taken out of homes, what about people who move? There are many details. How will shooting training be conducted? Instead of imposing rules unilaterally, all parties will be involved, but it must be based on safety to prevent loopholes that allow firearms to be used to harm others," he explained.
Anutin also mentioned that yesterday there was an incident in Nakhon Ratchasima Province at 11 p.m. A reporter asked the Prime Minister about it at 8 a.m.; sometimes he hasn't even received reports yet and must check the news himself. Once he was informed, he ordered the provincial governor and police to take full action. After the suspect was apprehended, he instructed that strict legal proceedings be pursued.
Regarding some police officers complaining about difficulties in their work, Anutin said, "It is the responsibility of commanders to develop strategies, plans, and methods of operation. For officers already on duty, it is not difficult." He then asked who was complaining. "If it concerns official duties, discuss it with your superiors, and management will bring it up in meetings with executives and government departments. There is always a solution to such matters."