More than 2,000 pistols and 75,000 bullets have been seized by police during a three-day “Gun Clearance Operation” in the wake of the Siam Paragon shooting tragedy, according to national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol.
Yesterday, Pol Gen Torsak and Pol Lt Gen Thana Chuwong, acting deputy national police chief, revealed the results of the Gun Clearance Operation that took place from Oct 9-11 at a press conference at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters.
Pol Gen Torsak said that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had ordered him to impose a crackdown on all types of illegal firearms nationwide. Pol Lt Gen Thana was put in charge of the operation.
All police units in the country had been assigned to eliminate gun crime and seize illegal guns. Pol Gen Torsak said that the operation’s focus was to end the use of firearms and ammunition, online and on-site firearm sales and the illegal modification of guns.
The operation resulted in 3,224 searches across the country, the arrest of 1,593 suspects and the seizure of 1,789 uncertified guns, blank guns and BB guns, 219 certified guns of uncertified gun carriers, and 75,973 bullets.
Following the order, 79 Facebook pages, 14 TikTok accounts, 148 X (previously Twitter) accounts, 26 YouTube channels, and 14 Instagram accounts were closed.
The national police chief expressed his gratitude to police nationwide for carrying out the operation. Civilians were welcome to file reports via the police emergency number, 191, or the hotline, 1559.
On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the press that gun control was being tightened.
“Police are organising gun check points while the Interior Ministry has suspended many types of gun certificates,” he said.
To mark Village Chief Day on Aug 10, the Interior Ministry annually rewards village chiefs and mayors who have performed the most outstanding work with guns. When asked by a reporter if the tradition would continue, Mr Anutin confirmed that it had already been scrapped.