In one of the worst mass killings in Thailand's recent history, an ex-policeman shot and killed at least 38 people at a day care centre in eastern Thailand on Thursday, October 6.
The shooter, whose rampage took the lives at least 23 children, some aged as young as two, later shot his wife and own child dead at their home before turning the weapon on himself.
Mass shootings of this scale are uncommon in Thailand. As the country continues to reel from the latest tragedy , here's a look at Thailand's gun laws and previous gun crimes in the country.
What are Thailand's gun laws?
With enough guns to arm nearly one in seven people in the country, according to 2017 figures, Thailand claims one of the highest gun ownership rates as well as one of the highest gun homicide rates in South East Asia.
Unlike US gun laws, Thailand's gun problem does not stem from a lack of control. In fact, gun laws are quite strict in Thailand
Under Thai law, guns can be purchased only from a limited number of licensed dealers and people who want to apply for a gun owner licence have to follow certain rules as well.
They must be at least 20 years old and must give a genuine reason to possess a firearm.
They will also have to undergo background checks, which looks into personal conduct, living conditions, income and any criminal records.
People must also be able to afford expensive administrative and import fees associated with purchasing a gun.
With all the steps that need to be followed, firearms purchase in the country can take as long as half a year to complete. However, many illegal weapons are still brought into the country.
What is Thai public sentiment on gun ownership?
There are believed to over 10 million privately owned guns in circulation within Thailand, of which four million are illegally not registered.
Anyone caught carrying an unregistered firearm risks a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 20,000 baht (£477).
Thai police recently arrested more than a dozen people suspected of being involved in a gun-trafficking gang that allegedly sold firearms to public officials, allowing them to purchase weapons at a subsidised rate.
Despite the punishment it carries, many people still buy and sell illicit guns through the black market and online quite easily.
The widespread private ownership of guns could be linked to the Thai public sentiment, with many often complaining about a perceived decrease in personal safety.
Several people in the country see guns as symbols of power and privilege as they can be expensive and difficult to legally obtain.
Is gun crime common in Thailand?
Gun ownership and illegal weapons are common in Thailand, however mass shootings are rare in the country.
Prior to Thursday's tragic day care shooting, one of the worst shootings in Thailand happened in February 2020.
A soldier killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 others in a rampage spanning four locations across the northeastern city of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Most victims from this tragedy were at the Terminal 21 shopping centre. The killer was later shot dead.
Only 10 days after the mass shooting, a man killed his ex-wife and wounded another person at a shopping centre in Bangkok.
In June 2021, another incident saw a former soldier fire gunshots at a coronavirus field hospital near Bangkok. The shooter said he believed the patients in the hospital were drug addicts and that he hated drug addicts.
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