Factbox-Thailand's Gun Culture and Past Shootings
US NewsOct 06, 2022
More than 30 people were killed and at least 12 injured when a gunman opened fire at a child daycare center in Nong Bua Lamphu, Thailand, on Thursday. According to police, at least 24 children were among those killed.
Former police officer Panya Khamrab allegedly entered the center with a handgun, shotgun, and knife during lunchtime, killing children as young as two before fleeing and attacking bystanders while on the run.
Thailand is the perfect example of why gun laws don't work the way their proponents hope. Despite restricting gun purchases by age, living conditions, background checks, and proof of a valid reason, both legal and illegal guns — often from outside its borders — find their way into the hands of deranged people like this man.
While theoretically, Thailand has strict gun laws, the reality is far from this: the country imposes obsolete measures that are easily circumvented and can't keep up with today's culture of violence. Like in the US, the Southeast Asian country has millions of tracked and untracked firearms floating around the population. However, Thailand's leaders address the growing violence with a disturbing lack of vigilance. The latest tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to implement stricter controls.