Thai government orders gun control review after 2 deadly shootings near Bangkok

BANGKOK -- The Thai government pledged Wednesday to tighten gun controls and crack down on illegal firearms after two deadly shootings near Bangkok in less than a week.The country has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in Asia despite its fairly restrictive gun laws. The two recent shootings, both in Nonthaburi province northwest of the capital Bangkok, have intensified calls for tighter controls on firearms.A student opened fire at his high school and family home on Friday, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 20 before apparently taking his own life, according to police. Three days later, a former lawmaker was arrested after a shooting at a government office that killed one person and injured another.Government spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the government is working to strengthen gun regulations and crack down on illegal firearms.The ultimate goal is “to find ways to remove guns from people’s daily lives as much as possible and make Thai society safer,” she said in a statement.On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered an urgent review of gun regulations, including a suspension of new permits to purchase firearms and a review of existing...