Interior minister Anupong Paojinda said Wednesday the government would require tougher qualifications for new gun owners, as well as ramping up checks on existing firearm holders.
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Thailand will toughen its gun possession and drug laws, the interior ministry said Wednesday, following the nursery massacre of 36 people - including 24 children - in the kingdom's worst mass killing.
The attack was carried out with a knife and a legally acquired gun, and while Thailand has a huge number of firearms in circulation - one estimate suggesting there are as many as one in seven firearms per person - mass shootings are rare. Gun applicants are already required to undergo a background check and must present a valid reason for ownership - such as hunting or self-defence.
Parliament will also discuss an exemption penalty for illegal gun holders, Anupong said, adding that individuals will be able to hand unauthorised firearms to authorities without facing prosecution-- though he did not indicate when they must do so by.Anupong added that his ministry would work with police and the health department to increase drug screening and awareness, as well as encouraging addicts into rehabilitation.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Miracle' toddler survived Thailand nursery massacre asleep under blanketA three-year-old child who managed to survive last week's massacre at a nursery in northeast Thailand slumbered through the horror under a blanket in the corner of a classroom.
Read more »
Families gather for mass cremation of Thai nursery victimsDevastated families in Thailand gathered Tuesday for the cremation of their loved ones, killed in a nursery massacre that claimed 36 lives -- including those of 24 children.
Read more »
CT police probing deadly mass shooting in Harare, KhayelitshaThree men have been killed and two others are in a critical condition following the gun attack earlier this week.
Read more »
US chip toolmaker KLA to stop sales to ChinaBiden administration’s new export controls aim to slow China’s progress in advanced chip manufacturing
Read more »
Breach and attack simulation: What are the drivers?Active breach and attack simulation does not gain credibility by exposing more problems; it gains it by contextualising them and continuously testing attack paths.
Read more »
Bitcoin mining gets tougher after Ethereum MergeThe amount of computing power dedicated to Bitcoin mining surged to a record as more companies made use of the energy and data centre space freed up after the upgrade of the Ethereum network, likely further compressing profit margins.
Read more »