Bangkok: The police have announced the implementation of stringent controls on firearms across the nation. The Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Mr. Narucha Khosasilvilai, has directed administrative officials to bolster security measures and establish checkpoints to rigorously monitor firearms and narcotics, aiming to curb violence and crime within their jurisdictions.
According to Thai News Agency, this directive follows a tragic incident at Thepsirin Nonthaburi School in Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province, where a student used a firearm, leading to injuries and fatalities. In response, the Department of Provincial Administration has urged officials nationwide to enhance proactive measures to maintain public order, prevent crime, and avert similar violent incidents or copycat events.
To uphold public safety, the Department has outlined several actions for all provinces to implement. These include strict control over firearm possession and carrying, ensuring firearms are stored securely to prevent unauthorized access, and enhancing proactive operations to manage firearms and narcotics. District chiefs are tasked with integrating administrative forces to intensify checkpoints and patrols in public areas and high-risk locations, prohibiting the carrying of firearms under any circumstance.
Security measures at critical sites such as schools, educational institutions, and shopping malls will also be reinforced. This includes conducting drills and exercises to prepare officials and the public for emergency situations. Additionally, the department emphasizes monitoring individuals with risky behaviors to prevent recurrence or imitation of violent acts, and educating parents on supervising their children.
The Department is also focused on providing comprehensive assistance and psychological support to those affected by violence, ensuring they receive necessary aid promptly. The Director-General stressed the importance of integrating efforts with all sectors to prevent violence and bolster public safety, urging administrative officials at all levels to perform their duties with strictness and consistency to foster trust and reassurance among the public nationwide.