Two shooting associations appeal to the Prime Minister to reconsider gun-carrying measures for athletes.
On 13 August 2026, Mr. Yutthana Phanitpichetwong, President of the Thailand Clay Target Shooting Association, together with Mr. Chonlirat Chantrubeksa, Secretary-General of the Thailand Practical Shooting Association, called on the government to reconsider the 100% ban on taking firearms out of the home. This measure was ordered by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to tighten firearm control, affecting athletes who need to carry guns for training and competitions.
Mr. Chonlirat Chantrubeksa, Secretary-General of the Thailand Practical Shooting Association, stated, “Not allowing athletes to take their guns home means they cannot stay familiar with their firearms. At home, they need to handle their guns to maintain that familiarity. Who will be responsible if guns worth 500,000 to 700,000 baht are left at the shooting range?”
“For the Asian Games, just taking guns outside the home is already against the Prime Minister’s order.”
“The concern now is that athletes cannot take their guns to practice, which lowers their competitive excellence, and some athletes refuse to compete. We ask the Prime Minister to consider this issue and instruct the related government agencies to take care of our situation.”