When I was a young kid, I had a BB gun rifle and a .22 caliber rifle. I would shoot at targets and the occasional inanimate objects on the farm I lived on. I can still remember the feeling of shooting those guns and the smell of gun oil when I sat down to clean the .22 after every use.
Do you enjoy shooting guns and want to get your fix While on vacation in Thailand? No worries. Here’s what you can and can’t do.
Basic gun law for foreigners in Thailand.
As of October 12 2017, foreigners are banned from possessing and using guns in Thailand after the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) passed amendments to the Weapon, Firearm, Explosive and Firework Act. Before this law changed, foreigners residing in Thailand could apply for gun ownership.
A grandfather clause is in place for foreigners that already have permits. But, they are not aloud to buy more guns as each gun has to have a separate permit. Punishment for possessing a gun and or ammunition without a permit, can bring you a jail term from one to twenty years.
The Act already prohibits the manufacture, purchase, ownership, use, ordering, or import of firearms or ammunition, unless you have been granted a license from the local registrar.
Violation of this provision is punishable upon conviction with imprisonment for a period of between one and ten years and/or fines of between 2,000 and 20,000 Baht (about US$61-$606). So, don’t plan on going to Thailand to buy guns or ammunition of any kind. It’s just not worth it.
Thailand’s shooting ranges.
Weather you are new to guns and just want to see what it is like to shoot a gun. Or you are a gun enthusiast that has been shooting all your life. Shooting ranges are the way for foreigners to shoot guns in Thailand.
There are shooting ranges in all of the major tourist areas throughout Thailand. Most of the ranges will allow you to register at their office. They will have packages to choose from with different guns and amounts of ammunition.
Here is a list of some Shooting ranges in Thailand.
Bangkok.
- Bangkok Shooting Range Address: 10/1 Soi Phahon Yothin 2, Khwaeng Samsen Nai, Khet Phaya Thai, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand. Tel. +668 2494-1179
- Royal Thai Police Shooting Range Address: Khwaeng Talat Bang Khen, Khet Lak Si, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10210, Thailand. Tel. +66 2 552 5956
- Shooting Range Territorial Defense Department Address: 2 Charoen Krung Rd, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand. Tel. +66 2 224 0306
- Ratchanawi Bang Na Shooting Range Address: 105 Bang Na, Bangkok 10260, Thailand. Tel. +66 2 398 0764
- TAS (Thai Tactical Shooting Club) Address: 268/8 45 Pracha Songkhro Rd, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Tel. +66 2 692 4675
Pattaya.
- Pattaya Shooting Park Address: 4 1/6 Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand. Tel.+66 38 907 808
- Tiffany’s indoor shooting range Address: 464 9 Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand. Tel.+66 38 421 700
- Light Bullet Address: Nong Kham, Si Racha District, Chon Buri 20110, Thailand. Tel. +66 92 404 5333
- THPSA Shooting Range Address: Takhian Tia, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand.
Chiang Mai.
- Maerim Shooting Range Address: 817 moo.1 Maerim-Samoeng Rd. Rimtai Maerim Chiangmai Thailand. Tel.+66 81 595 7133
- Shooting Club Chiang Mai Address: 178 Chiangmai-mearim Rd. Donkaew Chiangmai Amphoe Mae Rim, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50180, Thailand. Tel.+66 53 112 095
- LANNA SHOOTING CLUB Address: Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand. Tel. +66 95 272 0250
Hua Hin.
- SIAM MILSIM military simulation & airsoft Address: 10/469, Soi Hua Hin 94/3, Hua Hin, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand. Tel. +66 91 697 0821
Phuket.
- Phuket Shooting Range Address: 165 Surin Soi 5, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand. Tel. +66 76 381 668
- Asian Shooting Range Address: Sa Khu, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand. Tel. +66 76 328 459
- Patong Hill Shooting Range Address: Wichitsongkram St, Tambon Kathu, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83120, Thailand.
- KHATHU shooting range Address: Kathu, Kathu District, Phuket 83120, Thailand
Krabi.
- Krabi Shooting Range Address: 81000 238 4203, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81000, Thailand. Tel.+66 93 772 1150
Ko Samui.
- Koh Samui Shooting Range Address: Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand.
- Samui Shooting Range Address: Maret, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand. Tel. +66 77 256 222
- Samui Paragon Gun Shooting Range Address: Amphoe Koh Sa-Mui, Surat Thani, Thailand 84140 Tel. +66 77 424 000
Most of these gun ranges will have instructors (mostly military) with you at all times. Prices will vary but will be starting around 600 THB to 1000 THB $16 to $31 US for either a membership or one time entrance fee.
Gun rental will also vary by gun range, type of gun, amount of ammo and by hourly or by session. Packages might also be available. Bangkok Shooting Range for example has packages that allow you to shoot three or four different guns with a set amount of bullets.
Prices are from 3,000 THB to 6,000 THB or $93 to $185. The guns can range from .45’s to shot guns and machine guns. Some also offer skeet shooting as well.
Hunting in Thailand.
Do to the new laws about foreigners using and buying guns in Thailand, hunting is not something you want to try to do. There isn’t much hunting in Thailand to begin with anyway.
In the rural areas you might be able to go out with some local Thai’s to hunt for rats in the rice fields with air rifles and slingshots. Some locals hunt for wild boars in the forests. But most hunting is banned in Thailand because a lot of the wildlife is becoming extinct from deforestation and development.
Hunting in Thailand is just not what hunting is in the USA. Game wise or cultural wise.
What else can you do with guns in Thailand?
Nothing. Unless you do it illegally. Which I do not recommend. If you have the itch to shoot guns on your vacation in Thailand, go to the gun ranges. Hang out with some local Thai instructors and shoot the breeze (pun not intended) about your knowledge of guns (or lack of).
Make a few friends with locals and other foreigners that have the same passion about guns as you do. You will still go home with some great memories and stories to tell your friends back home.
Happy range shooting in Thailand!