Tighter gun laws on cards after massacre
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will lead a new committee to steer efforts in tackling narcotics problems in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at a childcare centre in Nong Bua Lam Phu.
Gen Prayut told the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the use of illegal drugs played a significant role in events leading up to the mass shooting by former Pol Sgt Panya Khamrab which claimed 36 lives — 24 of whom were children, said government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri.
The ex-policeman had a history of drug abuse and was found guilty by a disciplinary investigation and expelled from the force in June following his arrest in January for methamphetamine possession.
He had attended a court hearing in connection with the case shortly before embarking on his killing spree and later taking his own life.
Mr Anucha said the newly established committee, chaired by Gen Prayut himself and comprising all his deputies, concerned cabinet ministers and heads of relevant state agencies, will ensure collaboration and efficiency.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has been assigned to draft related regulations for cabinet consideration, he said.
During the cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut also instructed authorities concerned to crack down on drug-related offences, tighten enforcement and review existing laws to see if they need to be amended to correspond with the government’s beefed-up anti-drug policy.
The premier urged parties concerned to examine the criteria used in seeking a royal pardon for drug offenders and work closely with neighbouring countries to stamp out narcotics production, said the spokesman.
Gen Prayut also stressed that strict measures on gun possession and carrying of firearms by state officials and civilians must be in place.
According to Mr Anucha, Gen Prayut will chair the first meeting of the committee and representatives from the Office of the Attorney-General, the courts of justice, the Royal Police Bureau and the City Hall will discuss potential changes to laws on gun ownership.
Meanwhile, interior permanent secretary Sutthipong Julcharoen on Tuesday pledged to strictly enforce Section 66 of the firearms law which allows district chiefs, as registrars of firearms, to confiscate guns and revoke licences from owners found not qualified or deemed a potential threat to public safety.
Speaking after talks with police, Mr Sutthipong said the existing laws and related regulations were watertight but admitted that the problems were with the implementation.
He said people could file complaints for the revocation of licences if they were threatened by gun owners prone to violence or were linked to drugs.