The order, known as Por 12, is in accordance with the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive, Fireworks and Imitation Firearms Act, Traisuree Taisaranakul, secretary to the interior minister, said yesterday (Nov 22)
It is being forwarded to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for approval, she said, adding it will take effect the day after it is announced in the Royal Gazette, reports the Bangkok Post
Ms Traisuree said the order, a gun-control measure, does not apply to state officials such as police who are permitted to carry firearms while on duty.
Last week, permanent secretary for the interior, Suthipong Chulcharoen, said he had instructed provincial governors to tell firearms registrars to stop issuing Por 12 licences in their provinces.
Firearms registrars in the provinces can include provincial governors, district chiefs and deputy district chiefs, while the firearms registrar in Bangkok is the director-general of the Provincial Administration Department.
Mr Suthipong said firearms registrars were also told to stop issuing new licences for the import and sale of imitation firearms to existing licencees while those possessing blank guns, BB guns, or imitation firearms that can be modified into real weapons were told to register them at local registrars.
The measures follow a series of deadly shootings in Bangkok that triggered calls for a review of the granting of firearms licences to the general public and for stricter gun control measures.
The first shooting occurred on Oct 3 at Siam Paragon shopping mall when a 14-year-old boy went on a rampage, killing three people and wounding five others.
A teacher at the Sacred Heart Convent School in Bangkok’s Klong Toey area was killed by a stray bullet when rival student gangs clashed on Nov 11.
Shortly after, a 15-year-old Mathayom 5 student was struck by a stray bullet in Suan Luang district when gangs of youths fought.