Thailand’s History with Gun Law

Thailand has some of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in its region, with around 10.3
million firearms in public possession according to a 2017 report from the Small Arms Survey. It is
also of importance to note that this report estimates almost half of these firearms are unregistered.
This puts rates at about 15 guns per 100 people, a far higher number than observed in Thailand’s
neighbours Myanmar (1.6 firearms per 100 people) and Cambodia (4.46 firearms per 100 people).

Debsirin is also not the first case of a mass shooting in recent years. In 2020, a soldier killed at least
29 people and injured 57 more after a property deal went wrong. In 2022, an ex-police officer used a
gun and knife to attack a daycare centre, killing 36 people, 22 of which were children. Just earlier this
year, a gunman openfired at a school, killing a female teacher in Hat Yai.

Three days after the Debsirin attack, a former MP shot a former police officer, Thongchai Yenprasert,
and his driver. Yenprasert passed away from his injuries on his way to the hospital. The attack took
place in Nonthaburi, the same region as Debsirin.
As Minister, Anutin had previously tried to tighten gun laws following these incidents. These
measures included temporarily stopping approval for new gun permits and an under-20 ban for
shooting ranges. There were also proposals for regular safety screenings. A lot of the proposals did
not materialise, and the ones that did have had insufficient effects in prevention.

What Next?

Anutin has announced a suspension on possession and purchase of firearms in an effort to prevent
further shootings. This also specifically targets renewals of Por 3, Por 4 and Por 12 licences, which
have been suspended until further notice. A ban was additionally placed on ‘Welfare Guns.’
Immediately following the shooting, Anutin voiced his focus on prohibiting the public carrying of
firearms for civilians and off-duty officers. This law currently exists, but has been challenging to put
into practice. Prasert Jantararuangtong, the Education Minister, has proposed metal screenings and
bag checks at school entry points to ensure no weapons are brought in.

As Minister, Anutin had experienced backlash for his stricter stance on gun laws. Firearm and
ammunition businesses have voiced concern for the commercial losses they could face if more
limitations come into place. To this, Anutin expressed that human life “far outweighs” any business or
financial loss faced.

Unregistered and Illegal Firearms

A major issue facing firearm regulations is the large amount of unregistered and illegally purchased
guns in Thailand. Of the 10,000 civilian firearms in Thailand, over 4,000 are unregistered with local

authorities, making it harder to place restrictions on them. Welfare guns, a targeted programme in the
new suspensions, allowed public officials to purchase firearms at a discounted price. This scheme has
raised issues as many of the guns purchased as Welfare Guns are often resold,
Undoubtedly, Debirin has raised important conversations within the law about gun ownership. As the
victims and their loved ones begin the process of recovery, Thailand too tries to move towards a safer
future. The long-term effects of these new restrictions are still to be seen.

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The timeline

Debsirin is a top government school in Thailand with several branches, known for its
academic prestige. It was first founded in 1885 and has since taught a number of prominent
Thai alumni, including four Prime Ministers. The shooter’s first class began at 8:30 a.m, and
the first shots heard at the school came shortly before 10 a.m.

Local police received their first call on the shooting at 9:57 a.m according to reports by
Reuters. The shooter first pulled the gun out in his second class of the day. A young seventh
grade girl who spoke to the BBC recalls that he proceeded to “stalk from room to room.” Her
teacher was standing right in front of her when she was shot.

The gun and bullets used has been reported by Thai police to have been his grandfather’s.
When police went to search the boy’s house, they found both grandparents had been shot
dead earlier that morning. Police Colonel Thadsakorn Konthong reported to Reuters that the
murders happened around 5 a.m. Evidence from the scene points to the shooter having looked
for the firearm inside the bedroom. His grandparents were his primary caregivers after his
parents’ separation. Thadsakorn also stated that the shooter had taken the school van after
killing his grandparents. Footage shows the ammunition and firearm were being transported
in his bag.

Attacks started on the sixth floor of the building, inside the shooter’s class. He killed his
teacher in room 3/8, before moving to the next room where he shot 2 teachers and one

student. Three teachers were killed on this floor alone. Among the teachers who lost their
lives were the school’s deputy director and secretary, both of whom were shot and killed on
the stairs. They were initially on their way up to check on the gunshots heard. Upon
examining the forensic evidence, national police chief Gen Kittiratt Phanphet described the
shooter’s aim as ‘accurate’, despite there being no evidence of the boy visiting shooting
ranges previously. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also described the attack as ‘well
prepared’ and ‘with clear steps and clear goals’. The shooter was said to have been targeting
and hitting vital points on the victims.

Further investigation into the teen’s motives showed that he had been looking into guns
online for up to two years prior to the shooting. Further, the previous year a teacher had
confiscated a BB gun that he had bought into school. It is believed this gun was purchased
online. Investigators are still looking into the incident, but have claimed the motive may be a
combination of factors. The factors outlined included personal problems involving family and
friends, as well as violent online content consumed. Close friends interviewed have stated
that the shooter had not encountered problems with bullying. In light of this investigation,

police have emphasised to parents the importance of monitoring online content consumed
by their children. Other preventative measures encouraged by Thai police are keeping
firearms locked away from children and young people.

The shooter was found by police on the fourth floor around 10:40 a.m. He had already shot
himself, but maintained a pulse. He was transported to the hospital, but died while in transit.

National grief, six people still in critical condition

27 people reported injuries, with 9 being in critical condition the day of the attack. At time of
writing, 15 remain under medical care, with 6 still in critical condition. Sadly, one 12 year old
student named Naphat Chaima was injured in the attack and passed away Saturday.
Mourners visited her on Sunday morning, where she was laid for a ceremonial bath in the
pavilion of Wat Lat Pla Duk. Naphat’s music teacher, who spoke to Bangkok Post, described
her as “a good kid (…) loved to do every activity.” Her father expressed forgiveness for the
14-year-old who took his daughter’s life, his focus instead on wanting his child to rest
peacefully.

This tragic school shooting is the second that Thailand has suffered this year, the first having
taken place in February. The shooting took place in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, where a
17-year-old openly fired at a public high school with a stolen police gun. The attack killed the
school’s director and injured two others. The Debsirin shooting has also been the worst mass
shooting in Thailand since 2022, where an ex-police officer killed 34 people at a daycare
centre. 23 of the victims were children.

Future of gun laws in Thailand

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed his condolences and deep grief for the
victims, as well as his stance on stricter enforcement of gun laws in Thailand. “I’m sad for
what happened in our country. I’m sad for what happened to us”, he tells reporters. In his
previous role as interior minister, Anuitn Charnvirakul had tightened gun regulations following
a mall shooting in 2023. This included temporarily halting new gun licensing and banning
people under 20 from using shooting ranges. There was also a proposal for mental health
assessments and regular screenings for gun owners. The majority of these proposals did not
actualise, and Thailand continues to be one of the counties in South East Asia with the
highest rates of civilian gun-ownership. 2017 data from the Small Arms Survey estimates
there are about 15.1 firearms per 100 people, with a large portion of these being unregistered.

In his Friday statement, the Prime Minister reiterated his belief that the government should
impose stricter laws on the public carrying of firearms, forbidding it altogether for citizens
and off-duty officers. He insists that the value of human life far outweighs any commercial
losses faced by firearm companies in the case of tighter control, a criticism that he had
previously faced when establishing his stance on Thailand’s gun laws.

Contradictory reports came out of the scene on Friday, leading to a widespread amount of
misinformation in the media. Students and alumni of Debsirin have taken to online platforms
with the hashtag #saveเทพนนท์, asking people to let them grieve during this time and stop
spreading harmful misinformation about the attack online.

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Coronation Day is a significant and joyous occasion that formally recognises the current king’s ascension to the throne. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and renewal as Thais come together to honour their monarch and reaffirm their commitment to the traditions and values of their country.

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Coronation Day – A Special Holiday in Thailand

It is a special holiday in Thailand that marks the coronation of the current king of Thailand, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the tenth monarch of the Royal House of Chakri (also known as King Rama X), which took place on May 4, 2019.

He ascended the throne at age 64 upon the death of his father, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away on October 13, 2016. The coronation was held three years after he acceded to the throne. The ceremony took place after an appropriate length of time had passed since the death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The Elaborate Affair of Coronation Ceremony

The coronation ceremony was a grand and elaborate affair steeped in tradition and symbolism. Held over three days, it included a series of rituals and ceremonies that culminated in the king being officially crowned and presented to the people of Thailand. Several dignitaries and representatives worldwide, as well as thousands of Thais, witnessed the ceremony.

History of Coronation Day in Thailand

The tradition of the coronation in Thailand dates back centuries to the Sukhothai period when Brahmin priests crowned the king in a ceremony that symbolised the transfer of power from the gods to the king. Since then, coronation ceremonies have been an important part of Thai culture, signifying the start of a new reign and the beginning of a new era for the country.

People have upheld the ceremony rituals through the ages but modified the details as appropriate within the context of each period. The ceremony is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist practices.

Celebrations of the Coronation Day

Thailand celebrates Coronation Day as one of its national holidays. It is a national pride and celebration day, with parades, processions, and other events throughout the country.

Thai people associate yellow with the monarchy and often wear it. Additionally, they decorate their homes and public spaces with images of the king and the royal family.

The coronation of King Rama X was a significant event for Thailand, as it marked the formal recognition of his ascension to the throne and the beginning of a new chapter in Thai history. Thai culture highly respects and reveres the king. The coronation ceremony allowed the people of Thailand to pay tribute to him and show their loyalty to the monarchy.

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The invitation was extended to India’s new ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, during his courtesy visit to Government House on Monday, where he met with Gen Prayut, said Mr Anucha.

Nagesh Singh said that the ties between India and Thailand would improve more during his tenure. He said Thailand is important to India because of shared cultural, religious, and language relations.

The number of Indian visitors to Thailand last year was around 1 Million, and the Indian ambassador is hoping that this number will increase even to two million this year. “Trade between Thailand and India has been on the rise since 2021, with a significant increase observed between January and November last year, resulting in a 20% boost in trade volume to approximately USD 6.5 billion (THB 552.6 billion).”

Gen Prayut and Nagesh Singh discussed strengthening connectivity between Southeast Asia and other regions and public health and national security cooperation.

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At the time of check-in, approximately $40,000 was recovered by the authorities; the money was packed as folded bills inside the sachet of “Guthka”. Further inspection of his bag revealed that each packet contained two ten-dollar bills. A large suitcase was filled to capacity with such packages.

The news agency ANI shared a video on Twitter showing officials tearing large packets of pan masala. There were several small gutkha packets that read Shuddh Plus inside it which contained some powdered substance (pan masala). As the bag was opened further, two dollar bills were packed in polythene. The smugglers cleverly tucked the bills into transparent plastics to hide them in the large trolley.

Image Credits: Business Today

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From the word go, the movie hooks its audience deep into Kantara’s magnificent and spellbinding mystical forest. It profoundly explores the age-old topic of land and who it belongs to, the king, the indigenous people, or the government. The movie’s raw depiction of class politics and the struggles born from it, deeply rooted in our Indian society, cannot be ignored.

Whose land is it anyways? Does the land belong to the kings before us, the government, or the indigenous people who live there? Do we need to claim something that is not ours, by right? Kantara dives deep into the insidious need of man to claim something that has never belonged to them in the first place. The indigenous people try hard to protect their land and their culture. They are naïve, raw, and direct and believe that they are one with nature and thus are entitled to whatever the forest offers.

Rishab Shetty bedazzles us as the director and lead actor of this magnificent masterpiece. His performance is mesmerizing, to say the least. The film is set in the coastal land of Karnataka and packs an ensemble cast of Kishore, Achyuth Kumar, Pramod Shetty, and Sapthami Gowda. The movie binds us with its sturdy performance, gripping storytelling, and sumptuous spectacle that leaves you wanting more.

Kantara was to make its OTT debut by the 4th of November on Amazon Prime, but the date has been pushed forward, considering the fantastic box office streak that it currently enjoys. It stands tall with its box office earnings surpassing KGF Chapter 2, and its IMDB rating of 9.1 makes it the highest-rated Indian movie of all time. Kantara continues to achieve new milestones daily and is an aesthetic cinematic experience for all movie lovers.

Image Source koimoi.com

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Legend Behind One of the Most Mysterious Temples of India!

The Stambheshwar Mahadev Linga, located in the Kavi Kamboi village of Jambusar, Gujarat, is said to have been established by the Devas led by Lord Kartikeya after they defeated a demon named Tarakasur. The Skanda Purana mentions a pillar called Vishwanandak Stambh that the Devas built at the Mahi Sagar Sangam Teerth Kshetra. And Mahadev’s Linga is located on the Stambh’s western side.

According to the legends, Tarakasaur was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. To please him, Tarakasur performed intense penance. And, Bholenath was pleased with his devotion. Tarakasur took advantage of the situation and requested a boon that would protect him from death. But, because death is irreversible, Lord Shiva instructed him to seek another boon. So, Tarakasur asked for a blessing that no one except Lord Shiva’s six-day-old son, could kill him. Tarakasur wreaked havoc in the three worlds and caused massive destruction after his wish was granted. To end his tyranny, Lord Shiva created Lord Kartikeya from the flames of his third eye.

Another version holds that Lord Kartikeya, who punished Tarakasur, admired his devotion to Lord Shiva. As a token of gratitude, he established a Shiva Linga near the site of Tarakasur’s execution.

But have you ever wondered where and how it disappears?

The Stambheshwar Mahadev temple is located on the Arabian Sea’s coast. The Stambheshwar temple is only accessible during low tide. The temple is completely swallowed up by the sea during high tides, and it reappears hours later when the water recedes. Amazing, right?

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Women entrepreneurs and corporate executives from four continents comprise the majority of the participants. Some of the key issues being discussed include the impact of the pandemic on economic progress of women, keeping in view the rise of joblessness and closure of businesses. Professionals will share government policies or business practices that are effective in the changing economic landscape.

World-renowned businesswomen from various sectors have gathered at this prestigious event. Thailand, especially, is known for its women business leaders. According to Bloomberg, Thailand has women holding 37 percent of leadership roles, compared with an average of 24 percent globally. Also, women make up 40 percent of chief executives and 34 percent of chief financial officers in this country.

This year the Global Woman Leadership Award has been conferred on Dr. Krisana ‘The Pharmacist of the Poor’ for her work on developing a generic drug that treats HIV at an affordable cost, helping millions of people around the world, especially in Africa.

This year’s summit will be the first carbon-neutral summit in the conference’s 32-year history, implemented with the help of the Thai Host Committee. The summit closes on June 25.

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The number of Thai outbound tourists is expected to remain at 1 million this year, with more trips anticipated during the final quarter.

The wholesale operators that allocate packages to small tour companies still have a lot of remaining credits with airlines and can offer services by using a pricing strategy, said Chotechuang Soorangura, vice-president of TTAA.

There are 45-46 wholesalers in the market, he said.

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Mr Chotechuang said most outbound retail operators are offering wholesale packages as they have not fully recovered from the financial impact of the pandemic and still don’t have enough manpower to run the services by themselves.

Current tourism demand might be insufficient as tour operators have to launch many destinations to cover costs, he said.

As Japan plans to resume inbound tourism on June 10, a number of local operators have started publicising their packages online, which are mostly similar trips ranging in cost from 25,888 baht to 60,000 baht, excluding RT-PCR tests and visa fees.

Mr Chotechuang, also a managing director of NS Travel and Tours, said operational costs for Japan packages had soared 30-35% from 2019, with additional expenses including tourist visas, RT-PCR tests, higher costs of accommodation, tour buses, fuel and food.

“Outbound tour operators may continue to struggle for a year despite more border reopenings, as the third quarter is not tourism season,” he said.

If Japan eases rules for independent tourists by September-October and daily arrivals increase to 50,000 tourists, up from 20,000, then 50% of the anticipated 1-million Thai outbound market is expected to flock to Japan, particularly to Tokyo and Osaka, said Mr Chotechuang.

He said other favoured destinations among Thais, including South Korea, might lift restrictions for individual tourists, but the demand is not as strong.

Apart from Japan and South Korea, other popular short-haul destinations include Singapore and Vietnam, while preferred long-haul destinations include the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, Germany and France.

Mr Chotechuang said trips to Europe, where prices have also increased by 30%, are dealing with a delayed visa process. Tourists have to prepare 2-3 months in advance, while some groups have had to cancel trips.

Tour operators also hope to have bookings from corporate clients next year, as they tend to avoid high prices during the peak season, he said.

News Credit: bangkokpost

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Central Pattana has expressed a commitment to better futures and a stance as a place builder who creates spaces for people and the world to commemorate its 40th anniversary.

To achieve sustainability goals, the organization focuses on three tactics. There are three goals: 1) SYNERGY for New Solutions with its retail-led mixed-use business, partners, communities, and other stakeholders; 2) PIONEER for Better Lives to develop new standards for project development based on Green & Well-being concepts, and 3) OPPORTUNITIES with a Purpose to become an organization that develops people and elevates Thailand’s real estate and retail industries.

The company’s five-year business plan for 2022-2026 aims to make a big impact, with investments in new mixed-use projects and revamps of existing projects across over 30 provinces, including 50 shopping centers with new formats and trends, 68 residential projects that will solidify the company’s position as the top developer, 13 office buildings catering to the new lifestyle, and 37 hotels, including a new hotel brand.

It is unveiling a new brand identity for the corporation and its retail complexes around the country, based on local characteristics and distinct modernism created by a famous design firm.

In 2022, the corporation is forming a ‘Business & Digital Transformation’ team with a 450 million investment budget, as well as a ‘Partner Champions’ team that will assure growth by offering end-to-end solutions to partners.

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