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Bangkok gun shops: What's inside and why tourists can't buy
cnngo.com ^ | 2 Jan 2012 | Richard Ehrlich

Posted on 01/03/2012 7:23:45 AM PST by smokingfrog

Most Thais do not own a gun. Those who do, usually buy "for personal protection, and secondly for their collection. A lot of Thai people like guns," says Polpatr Tanomsup of the Firearms Association of Thailand.

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.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnngo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bangkok; banglist; gunlaws; gunownership
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1 posted on 01/03/2012 7:23:52 AM PST by smokingfrog
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To: smokingfrog

The article states, “It’s like a Louis Vuitton for guys, and a Hermes bag for guys”.

Okay then....


2 posted on 01/03/2012 7:26:25 AM PST by momtothree
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To: momtothree

Not surprising. What do you expect from a place where you can also buy little girls and boys...? Disgusting.


3 posted on 01/03/2012 7:29:40 AM PST by edpc (Wilby 2012)
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To: smokingfrog

Thailand?


4 posted on 01/03/2012 7:31:27 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (ROMNEY / ALINSKY 2012 (sarcasm))
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To: edpc

Absolutely. It is a den of evil.


5 posted on 01/03/2012 7:31:27 AM PST by momtothree
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To: momtothree

Most people can’t afford to buy one.


6 posted on 01/03/2012 7:39:48 AM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<0> - - -)
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To: momtothree

You’ve obviously never been there.


7 posted on 01/03/2012 7:46:03 AM PST by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

Where is that “like” button?


8 posted on 01/03/2012 7:47:53 AM PST by netmilsmom (Happiness is a choice)
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To: momtothree

I respectfully disagree, though I understand your point completely and agree that’s a horrible subject. Outside of that however in most ways, Thailand is far more free than America.

Just don’t criticize the King or pose in front of a Buddha. (legal and religious no-nos)

Been there, saw no sign of pedo stuff. I’m sure it goes on but I saw no sign.

Not to say there’s no illicit entertainment going on, but it seems to be adults.

The entire Thai lifestyle is far less structured than here, and surrounds manners which in America might be called “Minnesota nice”. Being courteous is quite important. Not lots of laws about what you can drive, how to drive, helmet laws are not rigidly enforced. Street and sidewalk side vendors with loads of selections. Just not the smothering infrastructure of forbidden things we have.

There are small motorcycle taxi tri-wheels called “tuk tuks”, which would totally never be legal here.

I consider Thailand to be refreshingly libertarian.

Nice place I think. Absurdly hot, and humid. Outstanding food.

YMMV.


9 posted on 01/03/2012 7:51:39 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (ROMNEY / ALINSKY 2012 (sarcasm))
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Visited Thailand and Laos as a kid in the 50s.
When I mentioned that I was an American, the locals were sure that US streets were paved in gold.
10 posted on 01/03/2012 7:58:24 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (Gimme that old time fossil fuel.)
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To: edpc

“Not surprising. What do you expect from a place where you can also buy little girls and boys...? Disgusting.”

You do realize that we have the same thing here in the states?


11 posted on 01/03/2012 8:05:37 AM PST by dljordan ("Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered.")
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To: smokingfrog

The Thai people are gentle, respectful, tranquil, generous, extremely hospitable and beautiful. When all of their neighboring countries were experiencing bloody spasms in the 60’s and 70’s, Thailand remained an island of calm. However, the Thai people are not to be messed with; you can push them to a point, and then they’ll take care of business.

There is an industry there, promoting the grossest immoralities, primarily child prostitution, which draws perverts from around the world. It’s a thing where it’s there if you want it, or you can just ignore it.


12 posted on 01/03/2012 8:05:54 AM PST by lurk
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To: smokingfrog

I have a couple of nice Siamese Mausers (built by Japan).

Very nice.


13 posted on 01/03/2012 8:18:06 AM PST by SampleMan (Feral Humans are the refuse of socialism.)
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To: dljordan

It’s going to be found everywhere, unfortunately. The scale and tolerance are what separates them from us.


14 posted on 01/03/2012 8:18:23 AM PST by edpc (Wilby 2012)
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To: smokingfrog

I’ve window shopped at those stores before. That area of town has some great stuff. There’s a tool market area, an Indian cloth market, a big mall and other interesting stuff. Back around 1978/79, I used to buy fried pastries from an Indian street vendor. When I visited about 15-20 years later, I found the same elderly gent still selling on the same street corner! Business must have been good, as he had an assistant and had visited relatives in the U.S.


15 posted on 01/03/2012 8:20:51 AM PST by USMCPOP (Father of LCpl. Karl Linn, KIA 1/26/2005 Al Haqlaniyah, Iraq)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

Thailand?


16 posted on 01/03/2012 8:24:54 AM PST by Lazamataz (Romney is the Pale Obama. That's all.)
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To: lurk

Been there many times, only hear about the pervs when they arrest one.
They also have gun ranges where you can test fire just about any gun you chose,Don’t have to be a club member or anything like that.


17 posted on 01/03/2012 8:26:43 AM PST by Redak
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To: dljordan

True..go to a Liberal college campi


18 posted on 01/03/2012 8:32:31 AM PST by skinkinthegrass (I can take tomorrow, $pend it all today. Who can take your income, tax it all away. Obama Man can. :)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Have to agree with your observations and add that the Thais are maybe the most inherently friendly nationality of people on the planet. I think their distracting habit of overtly picking their nose is akin to their lack of inhibition over sex, and the climate in the lowlands around Bangkok is brutal. But there is a lot to like and respect about the people and they are unique, to say the least.

This is not at all intended to criticize her sentiments about it, but if momtothree wished to find a real den of pedophilia she need go no further than the typical casting call or set of a film in Hollywood (or a certain kids network studio in Orlando) where children are involved.

19 posted on 01/03/2012 8:33:59 AM PST by katana (Just my opinions)
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To: smokingfrog
I have a good friend (American born White guy) who lived in Thailand for about 10 years, with a Thai wife and a couple of kids. He had a number of guns, but as the story says, were very costly. He said getting a gun permit was easy, just become friends with a local police chief. Costs about $500 US dollars to be a good friend of the police chief. He had a “get out of jail free” card that let him carry a handgun if he wanted to. Ammo was crazy priced. One single round of .45 acp was about $1.
20 posted on 01/03/2012 9:32:22 AM PST by Lockbar (March toward the sound of the guns.)
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