Thailand suspends new gun permits after Nonthaburi school shooting - BBC News

Authorities promise tough new laws in the country, which has high levels of firearms ownership.

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesImage caption, Mourners pray for the 12-year-old who died after being shot at the school outside Bangkok

Thailand's government will immediately stop issuing gun permits after a shooting incident last week in which a 14-year-old killed eight people and himself.

Existing gun owners are already banned from carrying their weapons in public.

The South East Asian country has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership in the region, with around 10.3 million firearms in civilian possession, and high levels of gun crime.

In response to the recent shooting, the prime minister has promised to speed up tough new gun control laws with severe penalties.