Missing the target: Firearm Policy & Practice in Thai Society
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Transcript of Missing the target: Firearm Policy & Practice in Thai Society
Firearm policy and practicein Thai society:
Tassanee TanakornsombutChutimas SuksaiChayanit PoonyaratYeshua Moser-Puangsuwan
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
Missing the Target
ISBN
Bangkok 2005
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Reduction of Armed Violence ProjectNonviolence InternationalSoutheast Asia office104/20 Soi 124 Latprao,Wangtonglang, Bangkok 10310 SIAMtel/fax +662934 3289rav@nonviolenceinternational.netwww.nonviolenceinternational.net/rav
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Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?1
Firearm policy and practicein Thai society:
Tassanee TanakornsombutChutimas SuksaiChayanit PoonyaratYeshua Moser-Puangsuwan
Missing the
Target
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society
by Nonviolence International
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
2
At Pak Phanang School two students were shot todeath and three others were injured by a seventeen year-old student, who stole a 9 mm pistol from his father. Theincident has sparked concern and worry in Thai society.According to the media, the young man shot a classmatewith whom he had lost a fight. He began firing once hesaw his father approaching, who had discovered that thegun was missing. The bullets hit two female classmatesand two male classmates, including his rival peer. Oneschoolgirl died during the transfer to hospital and therival student died a few days later after being admitted incritical care unit. (The Nation, 7 June 2003)
Only a day later, a Bangkok high school boy wentto his ex-girlfriend house and demanded to see her. Asthe girl refused to talk to him, the boy got furious andshot the girl’s uncle with a .38 calibre handgun he hadtaken from his father. (The Nation, 9 June 2003)
According to their parents, neither young man dis-played any previous delinquency or violent behavior, norhad they witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. Theguns used in both shootings were legally registered, inboth cases by the the boys’ fathers, who obtained the gunsfor self-defense. The father of the first student who shothis classmates revealed that he had taught the boy how toshoot, and encourage his son to practice sport shooting.
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?3
The two incidents on the previous page highlight the impact of
widespread gun possession in Thai society. This report is based on data
collected from firearms-related news in Thai daily newspapers, supple-
mented with Royal Thai Police data. Our findings challenge common
beliefs about firearms in Thai society and propose policy changes regard-
ing possession of firearms.
One of the beliefs that this report challenges is the ordinary as-
sumption that only illegal firearms are used in crimes. Along with this
assumption is another that believes firearm-related violence occurs mostly,
if not only, by criminals and between strangers. Most importantly, society
truly believes that obtaining a firearm will increase personal security or a
person’s ability to defend himself and his property. Re-examining these
beliefs and myths, this report argues that far from making people safer,
firearms are a root cause of violence in our society.
This report is based on newspaper reporting, and methodically re-
corded 529 stories on firearm violence from the two national newspapers
with the broadest circulation, Daily News and Khao Sot, over a 2 year
period from January 2000 to December 2001. Our newsbase does not
provide a comprehensive statistic on firearm casualties, since it contains
only events which were considered newsworthy by editors. Hospital and
police records are capable of providing an accurate record of firearm
incidents by type of injury, or law broken. However, by making an analy-
sis based on data within news stories we can reveal the social dimension
of firearm incidents.
Our news analysis does not pretend to be a complete survey of gun
violence in Thailand, but does reveal patterns of gun violence and use in
society which challenge popular assumptions. The information within
our survey provides a strong argument for the implementation of an
absolute ban on possession by ordinary citizens of lethal firearms.
Data collection and data base development for this report were com-
pleted by Tassanee Tanakornsombut. The initial analysis of the newsbase
was done by Chutimas Suksai, and final analysis and editing by Chayanit
Poonyarat. Conceptualization, continuity and and overall project direc-
tion were by Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan. This project ran from 2001 to
2004, and received generous support from the Small Arms Survey, Ge-
neva Switzerland, and Nonviolence International.
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
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Firearm violence: the role of legally registered firearms
Regulations on private possession, carrying, and use of firearms in
Thailand are more permissive than in neighboring countries in the South-
east Asian region.1
Two organizations are responsible for firearm statistics of the na-
tional level in Thailand – the Department of Local Administration who
register and issue permits to possess and carry firearms, and the Royal
Thai Police who issue permits to transfer firearms. Civilians are allowed
to possess only certain types of pistols and rifles. In Thailand, one may
only apply for a firearm license for the following reasons: the defense of
person or property, hunting, sports, or collection. The applicants of such
license must be at least 20 years of age.2 Firearm possession licenses in
Thailand have no expiry time, but permits to carry a firearm are valid for
only one year, and need to be renewed annually.3
Minimal restrictions have allowed approximately 4 million firearms
to be legally purchased and registered by the year 2000. However, experts
admit that no one really knows how many firearms, legal or illegal, are
actually in the country, and it is assumed to be substantially more. Many
legally produced and/or imported weapons are, at some point, diverted
to illicit circuits.4 As reflected in our newsbase, the end users of firearms
– people who use firearms to kill or injure others – are not limited only
those with licenses but can be anyone who can access a firearm.
60 handguns were hijacked by armed men from a warehouse atDon Muang airport and were later intended for gun shops in HatYai. The action was caught on tape by a security video camera.The crime is suspected to be a conspiracy between soldiers andgunshop owners. Gun shop could each legally import only 30firearms a year and some operators resorted to legal loopholes toacquire more. They had government import extra guns for them,under the cover of programs subsidizing the purchase of weaponsfor use by police and military officers.
(Bangkok Post, 14 April 2001)
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?5
The Weapon
Handguns are the most
common, and most com-
monly used, weapon in fire-
arm violence in Thailand.
According to our newsbase,
handguns account 75 per
cent for all firearms-related
violence.
It is pistols and revolv-
ers, not war weapons as com-
monly suggested by the cur-
rent Thai government, which are used in firearm violence, and which
civilians are allowed to possess and are correspondingly easily accessible.
There were 158,983 permits issued for private possession handguns dur-
ing 2000 to 2002, by the Department of Local Administration.
Easy and widespread availability of firearms for the common citi-
zens in Thailand has not been accompanied by lower crime and death
rates, and it is time that this policy is reviewed.
Conflict resolution- through firearms
In Thailand, law allows a citizen to apply for a license for private
possession of firearms where the purpose is ‘defense of person or prop-
erty.’5 This emphasis on private protection is a result of the fact that the
state is popularly perceived to fail to provide security for society. When
arms acquisitions are driven by popular perception of security sector
failure, “privatization of security”6 is talking place.
Thailand has some of the most permissive laws for firearm posses-
sion in Southeast Asia. It also has the highest homicide rate in the region
according to police statistics registered with the international police agency,
Interpol.7 Analysis of firearm use in Thai news reports on firearm vio-
lence reveal that in Thailand, guns are used mostly for dispute resolution,
not for security, nor for self-defense.
Disputes comprise the majority of all firearm use and account for
41 per cent, including common disputes, domestic disputes and business
arguments. A further 8 per cent are revenge (unresolved disputes), fol-
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
6
lowed by only 16 per cent attributed to crime.
Suicide comprises a further 8 per cent, followed by 7 per cent dur-
ing police operations- many of them in narcotics related conflicts.8 The
remain incidents were for unknown moti-
vation, but only 1 per cent were considered
self-defense.9
Our newsbase re-
veals that people can be-
come victims of fire-
arms even though they
are not the party of con-
flict. News of unin-
tended victimization and
self inflicted acci- dents were common.
Accidental shooting in 2001 accounts for 2.9
per cent and is ex- pected to increase given
the increasing numbers of citizens obtaining firearms every year, the lack
of any restrictions on obtaining a firearm by the state and uncontrollable
and unaccountable weapon check system.
According to Health Information Division, Ministry of Public
Health, during 2000 and 2001, homicides were the second leading cause
of non-disease deaths in Thailand (traffic accidents were first).10
The fact that some private citizens arm themselves against crime is
a symbol of a popular perception that there has been a failure to build
safe and secure society, a lack of confidence in the police to provide
personal security, or both. However our analysis of real events as re-
ported by the media reveal that the private acquisition of firearms actu-
ally threatens the safety of society at large, as well as the individual gun
owner.
We challenge the assumption that “guns equal safety” because:
·Having a gun suggests the owner is already prepared for a violent and
potentially lethal response to a any perceived threat, and may be less likely
to explore alternatives. The gun becomes the first, rather than the last,
resort.
·Guns are a machine designed to kill human beings. Having them in-
stantly accessable significantly increases the chances of a fatality occur-
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Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?7
ring in the home. If it is ‘readily available’ how do the owners prevent
children or other family members from reaching it? Keeping them with-
out ammunition, or locking them in a safe conflicts with their perceived
‘security enhancing’ function.
·While having a gun may make the carrier feel safer, it does not trans-
late into actual security. Data reveals that defensive gun use increases the
risk of injury or death, both to the gun carrier and innocent bystanders,
as armed attackers are virtually certain to open fire.
·Available firearms are in danger of being used, and as media reports
reveal are commonly used, by ordinary people, who are temporarily un-
der the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while they are overcome by
anger or depression.
The ‘intimate enemy’
Unlike the common belief that people become victims of firearms
only by criminals or strangers, our news analysis reveals most victims are
injured or killed by person with whom they have pre-existing relation-
ships, or whom they even know well. Family members, friends and spouses
together account for 34 per cent of the total 529 injuries and homicide
cases committed, compared to criminals and strangers who together ac-
count for 16 per cent of the database. 11 These figures reflect the fact that
the risk of being victimized by firearms is not likely to need a ‘criminal’,
it only needs someone who can access to a firearm.
Focusing on the female victim group in particular, the data shows
that 48 per cent of these
women are victimized by
their spouse; 18 per cent by
their friends and acquaint-
ance; and 8 per cent by fam-
ily members.
13 per cent of all fe-
male firearm victims are
killed by strangers and only
3 per cent are killed as
crime-related violence.
Very few women in
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A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
8
Thailand are perpetrators of firearm violence, which is common when
compared to firearm violence in other countries.
Handguns: weapon of choice in Thailand
Our newsbase indicates that handguns are the most widely accessi-
ble and the most widely used firearm in Thailand, accounting for 75 per
cent of all firearm use. Rifles/shotguns (13 per cent) and assault rifles (4
per cent) are not common. The latter are used mainly by organized crime,
while handguns can, and are, accessed by people of all occupations. Any-
body who can access a gun, regardless of who “legally” owns it, can
become a potential perpetrator.
Handguns are not limited only to the criminal class and police. Stu-
dents, businesspeople, farmers, even Buddhist monks do access hand-
guns, both legally or illegally. Handguns are also the “firearm of choice”
among civilians for the resolution of disputes and interpersonal con-
flicts.
Despite the clear ‘professional’ access to firearms the police and
military personnel have, civilians compete for virtually equal status of
access to handguns (44 to 43 per cent).
Police officers comprise the single largest category of handgun us-
ers (32 per cent), other occupations who use handguns include criminal
(13 per cent), businessperson (10 per cent), manual laborer (7 per cent),
government officer (6 per cent), military personnel (5 per cent), student
(5 per cent) and vendors (3 per cent). Robbers, Buddhist monks and other
occupations each account for 2 per cent of all handgun users.
In the case of injury or the case of death, handguns are the leading
cause, when compared to all other types of firearm injuries and deaths
(69 per cent and 72 per cent respectively). Other types of firearms, ex-
cluding grenades, account for less than 30 per cent of deaths and injuries.
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,reyolpmE,eeyolpmEeciloP,yratiliM
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?9
Victim-based analyses of media re-
ports challenges the assumption that
elimination of only war weapons, as the
current government has proposed, is
enough to curb firearm-related casualties.
Although a proposal to address the cur-
rently almost uncontrolled spread of
handguns was made by Prime Minister
Taksin to close down all gun shops within
5 years, no serious follow up of the pro-
posal is known to be taking place. Nei-
ther have any measures been revealed as
to how it would be effectively rendered.
Most importantly, apart from curbing
crimes and murders, a general firearm ban
on civilians must be accompanied by se-
curity sector reform to provide real secu-
rity in Thai society.
According to our newsbase rifles-
shotgun users included farmers, fisher-
men, criminal, manual laborers, govern-
ment officers, police, students and ven-
dors respectively, while assault rifles us-
ers were a mixture of farmers, fishermen,
businessperson, military personnel and criminals.
SRESU
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detonsaw
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shtaeD yrujnI
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
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Firearms are every place, everywhere
Many people would believe that their home is a safe haven; how-
ever, our newsbase analysis reveals that place of accommodation and the
domestic sphere is a
significant place of
firearm victimiza-
tion in Thailand.
According to
media reports in our
newsbase, 35 per
cent of firearms vic-
timization takes
place in a person’s accommodation or residence. 37 per cent occur in
public areas, and a disturbing 17 per cent take place in supposedly “gun
free zones”12 – places where it is not expected that weapons should be
carried, or where weapons are to be inspected and confiscated before
entering, such as airport (1 case), Cafés (1), clinics (1), detention camps
(1), election unit (1), government offices (7), government clinics (2) and
hospitasl (3).
Of the 37% which took place in public areas, such as public roads,
walk ways, bus stops, shopping centers, these incidents had the potential
to injure or kill other people in addition to the conflicting parties, and in
several cases, did. The detailed analysis of victimization landscape of
female victims in particular reveals that it is more likely for women to be
victimized at their own homes rather than public areas (see section on
women).
The only way to ensure more safety against firearm-related violence
in public places- without militarizing an entire society -is to restrict wide-
spread access to weapons while simultaneously building confidence in
the security sector to responsibly protect society for the cases a weapons
ban will not prohibit.
Gun-culture Consumption
Gun-related consumption refers to the purchase and/or use of prod-
ucts that mirror and strengthen gun culture. They can be graded accord-
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?11
ing to how actively involved the consumer is as follows:
·Low levels of participation such as gun magazines
·Intermediate levels of participation including computer, play station
and arcade games, in which the firing of a weapon is simulated.
·High levels of participation such as toy guns, paintball and shooting
authentic guns for sport.
Despite differences in the levels of player involvement, all these
consumables reinforce gun culture in Thailand, teaching consumers that
aggression, violence and the use of guns are normal or acceptable. Such
consumer activity maybe viewed as harmless or emphasize their ‘enter-
tainment value.’ Nonetheless, purchase and/or use of gun-related prod-
ucts encourages a social attitude that guns are integral to life, increasing
the demand
for guns by
p o r t r a y i n g
them as nor-
mal or glam-
orous and by
belittling the
reality of fire-
arm violence
and its physi-
cal, psycho-
logical, social
and economic
costs.13
A study End Youth Violence documents how video games and violent behavior inmotion pictures play a role in educating youth to assume violence as an acceptableform of social behavior, and can be a contributing factor in the decision to use violenceas a conflict resolution tool. As children and youth play these video games, they become less understanding ofthe real consequences of violence upon others. In the video games, it is all right to usea weapon, shoot people and take their lives. The consequence of being shot in thesegames is OK, because you’re brought back to life at the click of a button.The study also revealed the utilization by the U.S. military of video games as a tool intraining soldiers in preparation for combat. (James Miller, Youth Violence: An International Crisis.Inspired Parenting.)
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
12
Firearm violence and Women
Although women victims
comprise a minority in this
newsbase, they reveal a consist-
ent pattern of being victimized
by someone with whom they
have a pre-existing relation-
ships – inclusive, but not lim-
ited to, their spouses, family
member, friends or acquaint-
ance, employees and colleagues.
2 per cent of women commit-
ted suicide and 1 per cent are victims of kidnapping where a relationship
with the perpetrator was likely.
Homicides against women are surrounded by mythology and sen-
sationalism that suggests women are typically murdered by a depraved
rapist or mugger who jumps from a dark alley or breaks into a home. The
data shows that most women are shot at home in domestic violence situ-
ations (55 per cent) than on the streets, and rarely at the hands of intrud-
ers. Women are also victims of accidental shootings or by perpetrators
who are under the influence of drugs who sieze an accessible firearm.
Often, threats of use of a firearm within a household, virtually always by
their known aggressors, are overlooked or unreported in the media, until
the aggression escalates to seri-
ous physical injury or death this
type of domestic terrorism goes
unacknowledged.
Contrary to what people
believe of home as a protected
place, or that a house equipped
with a gun is a safer residence, our analysis indicates the presence of a
gun increases the risk of homicide or suicide for women in a home. In
short, Firearms in home do not make Thailand safer for women.
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In Bangkok, a 32 year-old man shot hiswife to death after she asked him fordivorce. He then killed himself with theweapon. (Khoa Sod, 27 October 2000)
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?13
Despite many publicized attempts to make streets and public areas
‘safer’ for women, home, the private
arena and the threat from ‘intimate
perpetrators’ are left unaddressed.
A history of domestic violence
is not assessed when a permit to own
a gun is applied for. While a domes-
tic firearm ban will not stop domes-
tic abuse, the likelihood of women
victims of domestic violence escap-
ing their tormentors diminishes where
there is the presence of a gun.
Firearm violence and Youth
32 per cent youth14 in our news survey died in gun-related homi-
cides, suicide and accidents. Victims range from 6 to 20 years old. Perpe-
trators were between 15 and 20. The majority of the perpetrators, as well
as the victims, are male, and are a result of male-to-male random vio-
lence.
Lives cut short
3 cases of children killed by firearms in the newsbase are 6, 8 and 8
years old respectively; the first 2 were killed by handguns and the last
killed by shotgun. 2 children playing with their fathers’ gun accidentally
shot themselves in their residence; the other one was playing with his
father’s gun in a restaurant and shot himself. One gun owner is a police
officer, the other is civilian.
noitazimitciV
epacsdnaL
noitadomoccA%55
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senoZeerFnuG%4
nwonknU%1,secalpdetibahninurodliW%2
Having been continuouslyabused by her boyfriend, aBangkok female singer“accidentally” shot him dead.(Daily News, 29 March 2001)
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
14
According to the newsbase, no children under 10 were killed as
victims of crimes. They were victims of firearm proliferation in a home
where firearms were kept to ensure protection and security. In both cases,
the firearms were not
kept in a secure or
unreachable place for
children, nor handled in
a safe manner.
Suicides:
During the period
of our survey, 5 youths between 18-25 were reported to have committed
suicide with firearms, most of which were found in their households.
They comprise 2 per cent of all 40 suicide cases in this newsbase. Most
suicide occurred in the home, and with handguns.
Arguments and Revenge(unresolved argument):
The majority of young perpetrators, of both genders, used their
firearms during arguments (46 per cent; 40 per cent in male and 27 per
cent in female). Among young male perpetrators, motives for arguments
range from school rivals to disputes with family members and friends.
While female of 22-24 years old mainly use firearms against their spouses
in domestic disputes. Firearms used in youths’ arguments occur as early
as 15 years of age (male perpetrator against a rival student).
Apart from ordinary arguments, another major motive for firearm
use is “unresolved arguments” - revenge. All perpetrators of revenge
cases are males. Men of 19-21 years old contribute to 60 per cent of all
young perpetrators, while those of 22-24 years old and 16-18 years olds
each contribute to 20 per cent of all perpetrators.
Crimes and Robbery:
Young people comprise 10 per cent of all crime perpetrators whose
age range between 13-24 years old. 10 per cent of recorded robbers are
youth; most of them are male. No female armed robbers or criminals are
found in the newsbase. Unlike other type of firearm-related violence,
perpetrators of crime and robbery usually attack strangers rather than
those whom they know.
On 25 December 2003, 10 days after thegovernment’s amnesty program ended, a seniorfemale student of Thammasat University waskilled by stray bullets, fired from the handgun of a17-year-old male student who claimed to be“annoyed” by a vocational school rumble.(Bangkok Post, 26 December 2003)
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?15
According to the newsbase, a gun in the home obviously increases
the chance of “accidents” due to unsafe storage or a domestic argument.
Children have a natural curiosity, and when encountering a loaded hand-
gun, many will mimic shooting actions learned by endless exposure to
images of violence in the media, both from TV news programs, movies
and dramas, and the now widespread availability of violent (shooting)
c o m p u t e r games and
replica toy guns. Most
dispute cases a m o n g
adolescents take place
at home or in the residential areas of the perpetrators.
In cases of revenge, perpetrators usually attack their victims in
public areas such as the roadside, buses or supermarket, or where rival
parties gather. These perpetrators sometimes carry weapons into suppos-
edly “gun free zone” or through weapon checkpoints, such as schools.
This indicates that the “gun free zone” and weapon checkpoint as well as
overall security measures in such areas (schools and supermarket as well
as on buses) are inadequate. However, since most of the firearms youths
carry are ‘domestically sourced’ a civil gun ban would prohibit access in
the majority of cases.
Firearm violence and Police
There has been debate internationally about the importance of po-
lice carrying firearms. Many types of police work, such as traffic control
and crime investigation do not require arms to be carried. The norm in
Thailand of officers carrying their guns off-duty are extremely question-
able, and several cases of “accidental” shootings by off-duty police sug-
gest that a station lock-
up policy needs to be
implemented for the
safety of their family
members and the pub-
lic.
It is, therefore,
important to address
the safe storage of po-
lice officers’ firearms
94 per cent of young
perpetrators use handguns.
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
16
whilst off duty. It is also necessary also require testing for competency of
people who possess firearms in their occupation such as security guards
and police officers, which includes both technical and emotional compe-
tency, to decrease their risk of be-
coming a target of violence. A fire-
arm lockup policy for off duty po-
lice would decrease police involve-
ment in domestic shootings, and de-
crease “accidents” and suicides in the
home due to guns left lying around.
Police are at some moments under stress, where they are responsible for
abuse and suicides. Stress counseling and training conflict resolution are
crucial for police officers to ensure their emotional stability.
Firearm violence and Religion
Members of religious groups in Thailand are as much prey to fear
and violence of firearms as anyone
else in the society.
Buddhists are 95 per cent of the
country’s 65 million population, but
it is still surprising to find that Bud-
dhist monks account for 2 per cent
of all perpetrators of gun violence
in this country.
With 3.8 per cent of all the
population, Muslims make up the
largest religious minority group in
Thailand, but are the local majority
in 3 Southern provinces. Groups such
as the Pattani United Liberation Or-
A policeman accused his ex-wife ofhaving affair with his colleague. Helater shot her and her new boyfriendto death. (Daily News, 23
In 2002, A Buddhist monk Phra MahaSayan Jirasutho wielded an AK47assault rifle at the parliament building todraw attention to his personalexperience of police brutality. (BangkokPost, 31 December 2002)
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?17
ganization (PULO) and Mujahideen Islam Pattani (MIP) have waged
armed struggle against the Thai state to obtain a separate Islamic state.
They are alledged to be responsible for injuries and deaths of police,
governmental officials, and civilians in the area. Both militants and local
politicians are allegedly involved in regional arms trade.
Since this report was compiled,
religion has become an element in
increasing social and armed conflict
in the deep South. Some Buddhist
temples have been turned into Army
barracks. Many others were aban-
doned and, as a result, ‘soldier monks’
were dispatched to replace the flee-
ing ordinary monks. These soldier/
monks collect alms in the morning
fully armed. (The Nation, 20 Octo-
ber 2004, report attributed to a sol-
dier who spoke annonymously).
But despite the fact that vio-
lence has periodically overflowed into
religious sphere, the religious community can play a role in analyzing the
causes and effects of violence and contributing to the improvement of
conditions for security and peace in a country. These positive contribu-
tions may include to a call for social policies and personal lifestyles that
brings an end to senseless gun vio-
lence, and also to call for gun con-
trol and less violence exposures
in society. For example, one of the
5 precepts of a Buddhist practi-
tioner is both not to kill, and not
to allow others to kill. Of the live-
lihoods permitable to Buddhists,
the selling or trading of arms is
specifically prohibited, as are live-
lihoods which require killing.
As a response of Thai authority to
firearms proliferation in the South, sol-
diers and police officers flock to Sathit
Chonlatan temple in Pattani to obtain
temple tattoos and receive a swift kick
from the head monk to become invul-
nerable. The temple also dispenses anti-
violence bullets, the cartridges filled with
108 herbs and invisible spiritual power
for protection. (Far Eastern Economic
Review, 30 September 2004)
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
18
Recommendations
We believe that a national ban of firearm possession, es-
pecially for self-defense purpose, should be implemented im-
mediately.
Meanwhile, as the legislation is being created and debated,
the three following intermediate steps should be undertaken to
reduce firearm caused deaths and injuries:
1. Recommendations for immediate implementation:
·Procedures and criteria to issue permit for firearms pos-
session should be tightened; more contexts such as emotional
competency and records of domestic violence as well as evalu-
ation from spouse/family members should also be included to
consider.
·Immediate cancellation of all permits to carry firearms
in public places, and severe penalties for those who violate such
regulations.
2. Recommendations to be implemented while a fire-
arm ban is being discussed, legislated and implemented
·Those who already have a firearm possessed in the home
be required that it be kept in a safe manner, especially for the
protection of children. It should be kept in a locked location,
and ammunition and firearm should be kept in separate places.
Severe penalties for thos who violate this preventative regula-
tion.
·Public advocacy for “gun-free homes” on personal and
community level. A gun in the home does not mean guarenteed
protection from external intruders. The public should be edu-
cated that a gun that was meant to protect the home is very
likely to bring harm to it. This should be mobilized by the health
sector as a preventative health program.
3. Recommendations suitable to a firearm ban
·Recognize a broader view of firearm-related violence
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?19
rather than that narrow scope of only death and injuries. The
presence of a firearm can coerce and lead to serious conse-
quences, apart from death and injury.
·A simultaneous, or complementary ban on replica (life
like toy) guns. Not only does their sale and use legitimize and
glorify guns, they also pose a danger by mimicking authentic
firearms.
·More research needs to be undertaken on the circum-
stances within which people are injured and killed, on the
impact of gun violence, on the health and criminal justice
systems, as well as on the economy.
·A culture of education needs to replace the culture of
violence currently existing. For instance, the media and edu-
cation system should promote educational as opposed to gun-
related toys. Children also need to be taught creative responses
to conflict, in contrast to the current message that guns and
violence are a solution.
·Public campaigns need to be developed by both gov-
ernment and civil society, which convey to people, particularly
the youth, the dangers of guns in society.
·One way to decrease the number of firearms is to re-
duce the demand for firearms. It is critical that the criminal
justice system be strengthened to challenge the current cul-
ture of crime, violence and impunity.
·Security sector reform must be undertaken to encour-
age popular confidence in the capacity of the state to protect
human security, not just security of the state.
·Review of all firearms policies applicable to police and
the armed forces so that only competent officers, on a mis-
sion which requires lethal force, carry a firearm.
In conclusion, not having gun does not mean an end to
conflict. However, it does reduce both the likelihood of con-
flict escalating to violence, and will reduce the lethality of any
violence which might occur.
A media survey of the impact of firearms on Thai Society by Nonviolence International
20
Endnotes
1 In Burma and Singapore, individuals who apply for s license for self-protection must prove that they justifiably fear their security is threat-ened. Malaysia restricts the application process to those individual s whocan show ‘very good reasons’ for possessing a firearm. In Indonesia, li-censes are granted for private possession only to individuals who havereached a high-level position within their occupation. In Cambodia, nocivilians are allowed to possess arms for any reason. In Brunei, privatepossession licenses are only granted to members of the military or policefor ‘good reason.’ (Katherine Kramer, Legal Controls on Small Arms andLight Weapons in Southeast Asia. Geneva: The Small Arms Survey andNonviolence International Southeast Asia, 2001).2Thailand Act Controlling Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworksand Imitation of Firearms ( 1947), section 9.3 Ibid., Section 23(3) and 23(7).4 Gift Motaung, The Physical, Social and Economic Costs of Gun Vio-lence: Interviews with Survivors Living in Soweto. South Africa: GunFree South Africa, 1999, page 8.5 Other reasons for a person to apply for a license to private possession ofsmall arms include hunting, sports or collection. Applicant for such li-cense must be at least 20 years of age. (Thailand, 1947a, secs. 9, 11;2001)6 Klare, M., cited in Cock, J. “A Sociological Account of Light Weap-ons in Southern Africa”, Pugwash Conferences on Science and WorldAffairs, British American Council, Indian Pugwash Society and Institutefor Defense Studies and Analyses, 1995.7 Homicides per year are registered with Interpol, but not all countries arecurrent, and some like Lao PDR do not report. ASEAN as a whole doesnot participate in the United Nations Criminal Justice Information Net-work or the World Health Organizations Mortality Database. Please alsoconsider a comparative homicide rates in Southeast Asia in Robert Muggahand Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan (eds), Whose Security Counts? (Bang-kok: Small Arms Survey and Nonviolence International, 2003), p. 7.8 The narcotic-related murders significantly increased under the govern-ment’s “war on drug” campaign in 2003.9 Out of the total 529 firearms-related violence cases in our newsbase,there are 215 disputes, 84 crimes, 44 revenge, 41 suicide, 38 police opera-tion and 5 cases of self-defense.
Firearm policies and practice in Thai Society: Missing the Target?21
10 Non-disease death is the death that is not caused by diseases such ascancers or heart diseases.11 Of all the 529 firearms-related violence cases in our newsbase, 126 ofthem are committed by victims’ family members, friends and spouses; 86cases are committed by criminals and strangers. There are 254 cases in thedatabase that relationships of victims to perpetrators could not be estab-lished from the news reports.12 Of all the 289 relevant firearms-related violence cases in our newsbase,101 them take place in accommodation or residential area; 107 cases oc-curs in public area and 49 cases in “gun free zone.” Others 32 cases cannotidentify places of victimization from news reports.13 Excerpt from Claire Taylor, The Link between South Africa’s Gun Cul-ture and Consumption Patterns. South Africa: Gun Free South Africa.14 By youth, we refer to those under age of 20 years old. The minimum ageof youth perpetrator, according to our newsbase, is 15 years old while theone of self-inflicted perpetrators is 6 years old.