GUN VIOLENCE AND FIREARMS POLICY IN THAILAND: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LEGAL, HISTORICAL, AND SOCIOCULTURAL DIMENSIONS

Abstract

This study explores the issue of gun violence in Thailand by analyzing its historical evolution, legal frameworks, criminological perspectives, and international policy comparisons. It highlights three core findings: the entrenched role of firearms in Thai society, systemic gaps in law and enforcement that enable illegal access, and lessons from countries like Japan, Australia, and the United States where effective gun control strategies are different. This research article synthesizes legal reforms, administrative measures, and value-based interventions as potential models for Thailand, including the development of a stringent and standardized firearm licensing system, the establishment of a nationally integrated firearm registry, the enhancement of efforts to control illegal firearms, and the long-term promotion of values and education regarding firearms. These strategies aim to develop sustainable, context-sensitive policies that reduce firearm-related violence while respecting local sociopolitical realities.