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Dave The Dude
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Criminal law in Thailand Part 19: Obtaining a gun licence
As we've also mentioned earlier, our discussions with officials at the Department of Provincial Administration and nai amphurs indicate that gun licences will not be issued to foreigners in the absence of highly unusual circumstances. Thus if you are a foreigner and feel a gun is needed for protection in your household you might consider having a close family member or associate who is Thai apply for the licence and learn to use the gun. As we've stated in earlier columns, of course, you can't just then use the gun, because you would not be licensed to do so. But the licensed member of your household or associate could, and could protect you with it.
For civilian recreational, self-defence and hunting purposes, here are the documents that must be filed with the form Por.1:
Original and signed copy of ID card.
Original and signed copy of house registration (blue book).
Evidence of the applicant's occupation, such as a) for the proprietor of a business, registration certificate of a company or certificate of commercial registration, b) for an employee, a document from the employer certifying the position, duties and salary and c) for the self-employed, such as a farmer or merchant, photos of the business.
Letter of recommendation from a government official, soldier or senior police official attesting to the good character of the applicant and stating the reasons the applicant needs to have a gun. The reference must be from a government official of level six or higher. A reference from a police or military official must be from a lieutenant colonel or higher. A copy of the recommending official's official ID card must be attached to the recommendation.
In the case of a gun to be used for sporting purposes, a copy of a membership card from a shooting range, showing the applicant to have been a member for more than 60 days. If the application is for a rifle, a semi-automatic .45 calibre or revolvers of.40, .44 or .357 calibre, there must also be a certificate from the shooting range to the effect that the gun is used for sporting purposes.
Evidence, if any, of participation by the applicant in gun training courses. While this is not mandatory, it is considered a positive factor.
Copies of documentation such as bank statements showing the applicant's financial solvency.
Copies of any previous gun registrations (form Por.4) in the name of the applicant and evidence of transfer of these, if applicable.
Included in the information requested in form Por.1 is the model of firearm, amount of ammunition and licensed dealer from whom the applicant wishes to buy. If the review of form Por.1 is favourable, the applicant will receive a form Por.3, a licence to buy a gun, and a form Por.4 (temporary), a temporary gun licence. The applicant can then take form Por.3 to the dealer and purchase the gun. If the applicant decides to change the dealer before buying, he or she would have to have written approval to do so from the authority that issued the form Por.3.
The temporary gun licence is good for six months from the time of issue. During that period the applicant has to take the gun and ammunition back to the authority issuing the form Por.3, who must verify that the gun purchased was the same model as that authorised. If it is, the authority will issue a ''gun handbook'', a one-page document containing information about the gun, including the owner, the description and model of the gun, along with its manufacturer and serial number. The gun handbook is a supporting document for the issuance of the form Por.4 (permanent) gun licence.
The form Por.4 is good for the life of the owner, as long as the gun is not transferred. If the gun is to be transferred to a new owner, he or she will need to obtain a new licence for it.
- Published: 15/08/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Spectrum
As we've also mentioned earlier, our discussions with officials at the Department of Provincial Administration and nai amphurs indicate that gun licences will not be issued to foreigners in the absence of highly unusual circumstances. Thus if you are a foreigner and feel a gun is needed for protection in your household you might consider having a close family member or associate who is Thai apply for the licence and learn to use the gun. As we've stated in earlier columns, of course, you can't just then use the gun, because you would not be licensed to do so. But the licensed member of your household or associate could, and could protect you with it.
For civilian recreational, self-defence and hunting purposes, here are the documents that must be filed with the form Por.1:
Original and signed copy of ID card.
Original and signed copy of house registration (blue book).
Evidence of the applicant's occupation, such as a) for the proprietor of a business, registration certificate of a company or certificate of commercial registration, b) for an employee, a document from the employer certifying the position, duties and salary and c) for the self-employed, such as a farmer or merchant, photos of the business.
Letter of recommendation from a government official, soldier or senior police official attesting to the good character of the applicant and stating the reasons the applicant needs to have a gun. The reference must be from a government official of level six or higher. A reference from a police or military official must be from a lieutenant colonel or higher. A copy of the recommending official's official ID card must be attached to the recommendation.
In the case of a gun to be used for sporting purposes, a copy of a membership card from a shooting range, showing the applicant to have been a member for more than 60 days. If the application is for a rifle, a semi-automatic .45 calibre or revolvers of.40, .44 or .357 calibre, there must also be a certificate from the shooting range to the effect that the gun is used for sporting purposes.
Evidence, if any, of participation by the applicant in gun training courses. While this is not mandatory, it is considered a positive factor.
Copies of documentation such as bank statements showing the applicant's financial solvency.
Copies of any previous gun registrations (form Por.4) in the name of the applicant and evidence of transfer of these, if applicable.
Included in the information requested in form Por.1 is the model of firearm, amount of ammunition and licensed dealer from whom the applicant wishes to buy. If the review of form Por.1 is favourable, the applicant will receive a form Por.3, a licence to buy a gun, and a form Por.4 (temporary), a temporary gun licence. The applicant can then take form Por.3 to the dealer and purchase the gun. If the applicant decides to change the dealer before buying, he or she would have to have written approval to do so from the authority that issued the form Por.3.
The temporary gun licence is good for six months from the time of issue. During that period the applicant has to take the gun and ammunition back to the authority issuing the form Por.3, who must verify that the gun purchased was the same model as that authorised. If it is, the authority will issue a ''gun handbook'', a one-page document containing information about the gun, including the owner, the description and model of the gun, along with its manufacturer and serial number. The gun handbook is a supporting document for the issuance of the form Por.4 (permanent) gun licence.
The form Por.4 is good for the life of the owner, as long as the gun is not transferred. If the gun is to be transferred to a new owner, he or she will need to obtain a new licence for it.
