Bangkok gun shops: What's inside and why tourists can't buy
If you have an itchy trigger finger while visiting Thailand it may be difficult to purchase a gun, but wealthy foreigners and Thais who live here can now enjoy their weapon of choice thanks to the recent lifting of a ban imposed in Bangkok last year.
Tourists can, however, buy custom-made leather holsters and other accessories at the estimated 80 weapons stores along Burapha Road, just east of the Sala Chalerm Krung Royal Theatre, where the vast majority of Bangkok's gun shops are located.
Most of the shops have been in business for more than 40 years and welcome walk-in customers, but may discourage photographs of their deadly arsenals.
Expats and other foreigners working in Thailand can buy guns, but import taxes of around 30 percent -- plus hefty retail profits -- discourage most foreigners.
"Not many foreigners buy guns in Thailand because the price is really expensive, compared to the United States and other countries, because of our importing quota and taxes," says the Firearms Association of Thailand's director of international relations, Polpatr Tanomsup.
"Guns are really expensive, so it is considered a sport for the rich. Like cars, and stuff like that. It is like a Louis Vuitton for guys, or a Hermes bag for guys," Polpatr says.
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Bangkok gun shops: What's inside and why tourists can't buy | CNNGo.com
...why would a tourist need/want a gun? ...much of the local thieving is accomplished with no more than a smile...
...majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd...
Guns aren't so expensive or that hard to find; 50,000 baht and it's yours, no questions asked....
I'm so ugly, that's okay 'cos so are you.
Actually Thailand has one of the largest black market in guns, I believe.
...lots of guns + lots of drinking + revenge culture + lack of iodine = Amazing Thailand...
... or criminals.Originally Posted by cluezo
I'd be far more curious what the price of guns on the street, in back-alleys, is - i.e. if you need a clandestine way of acquiring a non-registered weapon, or something like a chinese AK-47 clone...
Of course, no 'in-depth reporting' on that.
50,000 for a hand-gun, don't know if it would be a proper Yank effort or a dodgy Chinese one that is likely to do more harm to yourself than your intended victim.
Plus, I'd never know if the yank looking guns aren't well-made Chinese copies (yeah, I know, oxymoron)
Meanwhile, in the good ol' U S of A - this was a record breaking Christmas for gun sales. More than 1.5 million gun background checks were completed this December. Gun for Christmas
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