Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Nguyen, Phuong-Khanh. 1992 ‘Regulation of Ammunition in Thailand (1992): Possession, Transport and Use.’ Library of Congress Report: Regulation of Ammunition 1992. Washington DC: Law Library of Congress (USA). 1 August
Relevant contents
Personal possession, transport, and use
Under the current law on the control of firearms, it is illegal for any person to purchase, possess, use, or bring into the Kingdom of Thailand firearms and ammunition, unless the person has been issued a license to do so by the competent local registrar.
Licenses for the possession and use of firearms and ammunition are only issued for the purpose of defense of life and property, collecting, or use in sport or hunting.
In order to obtain a license, an applicant must show the need for it and meet the criteria of physical and mental ability as well as of personal reliability set forth by the Law. Basically, a person has to be twenty years old, have a permanent address, be physically able to handle firearms, and be mentally competent and of fairly good moral character.
Personal reliability is to be proven by the absence of a record of conviction for certain offenses stipulated under the Penal Code and under the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Fireworks Act B.E. 2477 (1934) or the absence, within a five-year prior to the date of application, of a record of more than one-time imprisonment for offenses other than petty offenses or offenses of negligence.
There is no specific provision defining the boundaries for the use of firearms and ammunition. However, the Law does make a distinction between a license for possessing or carrying a gun.
In order to bring firearms or ammunition for personal use into Thailand, be it on a permanent or a temporary basis, a person must follow the applicable procedures. According to the 1947 Act, a person must apply in advance for a license before bringing any firearm or ammunition into Thailand. Upon arrival in Thailand, he must register the item(s) with the Customs authority of the first port of entry or with the nearest local registrar and at the same time leave the item(s) with
Customs until a temporary or permanent license is issued. If the owner did not obtain a license for the weapon(s) before entering the country, he must choose to apply for a temporary or a permanent license or send the firearms out of the country, depending on the circumstances.