'Natthapong' urges reform in gun law enforcement, stating that increasing penalties will not help if the system is corrupt. He emphasizes that politicians must not receive special privileges over the public and reveals that the People's Party is drafting legislation to submit to parliament.
On 14 August 2026 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, spoke about pushing forward a firearms control bill. The party is currently preparing amendments related to gun control to present to the House of Representatives. The focus is on stricter measures and retrieving guns widely spread in society back into the system. Simply increasing legal penalties is not the complete answer if law enforcement mechanisms fail. No matter how severe the legal punishments are, if enforcement fails, harsher laws may become tools for corrupt officials to extort benefits for themselves.
Mr. Natthapong appealed to the government and the Royal Thai Police, which are directly overseen by the Prime Minister, to focus on tangible results and genuine enforcement rather than issuing statements or opinions. He said that what the public truly trusts are the real outcomes of actions taken.
When asked whether politicians possessing firearms constitute a privileged class, Mr. Natthapong said society is strongly questioning this after seeing prominent politicians who are suspects receiving special treatment while in police detention, unlike ordinary citizens. He believes politicians are no different from other citizens. Ultimately, regardless of titles or positions, everyone must be equal before the law. The image of politicians being in the same room with police officers, acting without handcuffs, is inappropriate. The justice system must treat everyone equally.