Thailand faces scrutiny over massive civilian firearm ownership

Thailand maintains one of the highest rates of civilian firearm ownership in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 10 to 10.3 million firearms in private hands. According to the Small Arms Survey, this equates to approximately 15 guns per 100 inhabitants, significantly higher than neighboring countries like the Philippines, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

A major concern for authorities is the high volume of unregistered weapons. It is estimated that roughly 4.1 million firearms—nearly 40% of the total civilian stock—exist outside the official registration system. This gap, fueled by illicit imports and the black market, complicates law enforcement and contributes to ongoing gun violence.

While Thailand has a formal licensing system requiring applicants to be at least 20 years old and provide valid reasons such as self-defense, hunting, or sport, the process can take up to six months. Furthermore, legal ownership does not grant the right to public carry, which requires separate authorization. The civilian firearm stock is estimated to be roughly ten times larger than the military's and 45 times larger than that of law enforcement agencies.