The Democrat Party spokesperson criticized the government for showing clips on social media teaching how to modify illegal guns for personal use, which are rampant online. He advised the government to "scratch where it itches" by urgently discussing with platforms to block dangerous content that influences youth and to address the root causes of crime rather than superficial measures.
On 22 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, commented on the control of firearms and licenses for ordering or importing guns (Form Por 2). He referenced the Ministry of Interior's refusal to approve legal gun imports by licensed dealers continuously over three years following the mass shooting at Siam Paragon shopping center. The then Minister of Interior aimed to prevent recurrence. However, although well-intentioned, the reality is that the weapons used in that incident were not legal guns but modified firearms. During the government's refusal to approve legal gun sales, modified and illegal guns have become more widespread. A simple hashtag search on social media reveals nearly all channels for buying and selling illegal and homemade Thai guns. There are openly shared shooting test reviews on social media platforms like YouTube, including detailed videos demonstrating how to convert blank guns into functional weapons. This poses a serious threat by making weapon modification methods easily accessible to youth.
“The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior ordered a ban on gun imports to control violence, but the guns used that day were modified weapons. If the problem is addressed without understanding the real root cause, it cannot be successfully resolved. Therefore, I urge the government again to urgently crack down decisively on illegal and homemade guns, while coordinating with social media platform providers to block and remove content teaching gun production or modification to prevent repeated mass shooting tragedies. It is important not to take the wrong approach, not to tie the hands of good people while freeing the bad. We must ensure criminals have no guns to commit crimes and protect the good people as much as possible.” Mr. Pongsakorn