Officials from the Ministry of the Interior have convened at a high level to review the events of Thursday’s horrific shooting in Nong Bua Lamphu. The authorities have mandated a reassessment of gun owners’ eligibility and the cancellation of licenses for those who don’t fit the criteria.
Sutthipong Juljarern, permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, convened a conference of senior ministry officials to examine the lessons learnt from the Nong Bua Lamphu mass shooting. The officials committed to reevaluating those in high-risk demographics, as well as government employees and other state officials, as part of a broader effort to assess drugs prevention initiatives. The number of drug addicts admitted for treatment is expected to increase. Additional resources will be allocated to community checkpoints, and province and district administrative entities will provide more assistance for anti-narcotics efforts. Together with our allies in the non-profit sector, we will run a campaign to dissuade the public from engaging in drug-related activities.
Gun ownership requirements were discussed at length at the conference. Permits to carry firearms will be promptly canceled if the necessary requirements are not met. Officials also discussed the possibility of bolstering safety measures at childcare facilities managed by municipal governments. This might involve measures such as stationing guards at the facilities and setting up closed-circuit television.
Nithithon Chintakanon, the deputy head of police in Bangkok, has stated that 90% of police personnel require a firearms licence in order to do their jobs. He said police captains will be responsible for determining whether or not their officers meet the requirements to carry firearms. Additionally, there will be discussions to determine whether or not cops may retain their firearms upon retirement.
During his recruitment into the police service, the suspect in Thursday’s event passed standard screening procedures, according to Pol. Maj. Gen. Nithithon. He speculated that the man’s drug use was connected to his work with opioids. Superintendents at the Metropolitan Police Bureau will now conduct drug tests on their employees. To avoid a repetition of this week’s tragedy, if an officer is found to have used drugs, that cop will be terminated immediately and their actions will be closely scrutinized.
