National Police Chief orders escalation of firearms control measures and nationwide security measures, launching a sweeping crackdown on all fronts.
Today (11 Aug.), Police Lieutenant General Tairong Phiwphan, Deputy Inspector-General of the Royal Thai Police, in his capacity as spokesman for the Royal Thai Police Office, revealed that Police General Kittrat Phantuphet, the National Police Commissioner, has issued orders to all units across the country, reinforcing measures concerning firearms and stepping up security measures. This follows a current situation in which a number of violent incidents have occurred, with perpetrators employing firearms and explosives in attacks across various areas in multiple cases, resulting in loss of life, physical injury, and damage to property. This is an urgent policy of both the government and the Royal Thai Police Office, which places priority on the prevention and suppression of crime that affects the public. Deputy National Police Commissioners have been assigned to supervise and oversee operations.
The National Police Commissioner has assigned Police General Thana Chuwong, Deputy National Police Commissioner (responsible for investigation affairs), to mobilise a crackdown on offences related to firearms, ammunition, and explosives. This involves identifying and designating targets, launching cordon-and-search operations targeting firearms, war weapons, ammunition, explosives, and weapon imitations, as well as illegal sales both on the ground and through online social media channels.
He has also assigned Police General Thatchai Pitaneelabutr, Deputy National Police Commissioner (responsible for crime prevention and suppression affairs), to elevate security measures and enhance protection at soft-target public locations — such as schools, shopping malls, parks, and the like — with an emphasis on visible patrol presence (Stop Walk Talk) and searches relating to firearms, suspicious persons, and suspicious vehicles, as well as improving incident response, scene attendance, and the deployment of special tactical units to intervene and suppress incidents. Security measures are to be reinforced, and all units are required to inspect and control official government firearms in accordance with regulations.
In addition, the National Police Commissioner has instructed commissioners, commanding officers, and commanders at every level to integrate the forces of the investigation division and the crime prevention and suppression division in carrying out the firearms, ammunition, and explosives crackdown measures in a concrete manner, strictly adhering to police tactical principles and the law.
