Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday ordered law enforcement to tighten gun rules and crack down on drug use after the mass killing of a former policeman at a daycare center left the nation in shock. A total of 36 people, including 24 children, were killed last week in a knife and gun rampage by a former policeman who later killed himself in Uthai Sawan, a town 500 km northeast of Bangkok. It was one of the worst single-killer massacre child deaths in modern history.
Prayuth ordered authorities to proactively seek out and test for illegal drug use among officials and communities and to intensify treatment for addicts, government spokeswoman Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement. The prime minister ordered government registrars to revoke firearms licenses from registered owners who allegedly behaved in a manner that “endangers society” and “creates chaos or incites unrest,” Anucha said, in addition to cracking down on illegal arms sales, gun smuggling, and the use of illegal firearms.
Thai authorities plan to withdraw weapons from officials and police officers who have misused their firearms or behaved aggressively on duty. Regular mental health checks will also be required for gun license applicants and holders, police chief General Damrongsak Kittprapas told reporters. Gun ownership is high in Thailand compared to some other Southeast Asian countries. Illegal weapons, many imported from conflict-torn countries, are common.
Read Now :Chief Justice of India Uday Umesh Lalit appointed Justice DY Chandrachud as his successor
