Thai Law, Visa Reform Faces Pressure Amid Violence

Recent spates of bombings with possible international terrorist connections, and the perceived increase of gun-related violence in the country's criminal underworld, are increasing pressure on authorities to tighten gun control laws, Thai visa service regulations for foreign national, and routine security measures. BSA Law, the leading Thailand law company, expands on possible changes. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) May 03, 2012 - Bangkok - An apparent increase in violence in Thailand may raise pressure to change Thai law regarding gun ownership while also prompting a tightening of visa controls for foreign nationals, according to leading Thai law company BSA Law.

Police officials in Thailand have increased calls for Thai law changes to tighten gun control in recent weeks as they combat what they say is an increase in crime. Notably, police have granted interviews with the Bangkok Post and other media calling for Thai law changes to alter the Act Controlling Firearms to make guns harder to buy and easier to track.

Any changes to gun laws stemming from a sustained pressure from police and public officials is unlikely to affect tourists, who are already barred from owning firearms in Thailand, although foreign nationals in Thailand may feel the impact of any changes. Currently, foreign nationals need a Thailand work permit, a criminal record check and a house registration to own a firearm.

A more immediate impact on tourists in Thailand and, potentially, on business investment in Thailand, is more likely to come from rising pressure to avert bomb attacks and other major, high-profile incidents of violence in Bangkok and elsewhere. The deadly series of bombings, together with other incidents, are already prompting increased security measures.

"As has happened in the United States in the past decade, the perception of increased violence may result in Thai law changes that affect every day life for tourists in Thailand, foreign residents in the country and business investment in Thailand," BSA spokesman Apisakde Kongkangwanchoke said. "This could take the form of stricter Thai law regarding buying and selling firearms. More visibly, though, it could result in more security checks at public institutions and greater controls in areas seen most vulnerable to bomb attack. It may also affect the way a Thai visa service carries out its work."

BSA Law draws on three decades of experience as an international law firm in Thailand to provide business advice to Thailand and multinational firms, encompassing Thai labor law, Thai business law and, as needed, security concerns. Both real violence, and the perception of violence, carry a potential impact on business investment in Thailand and on an array of laws governing foreign nationals in the country.

Importantly, the international aspect of the February bomb explosions in Bangkok - which authorities say may be linked to an attack in New Delhi and an attempted attack in Tbilisi, Georgia, could prompt calls for tighter Thailand work permit regulations and tourist visa rules for foreigners wishing to visit, or live in, Thailand. The attacks in February apparently targeted Israeli embassy officials in Georgia and India, while the explosion in Bangkok injured an Iranian national allegedly carrying the bomb.

About BSA Law:

For nearly 30 years, Bamrung Suvicha Apisakdi Law Associates (BSA Law) has focused on providing reliable legal advice and services to the Thai and foreign business community in Thailand. BSA Law seeks to provide international standards of legal services while retaining the customs of the Thai business culture.

For more information please contact:

Jim Byrne
Business Advisor, BSA Law.
Email: jim ( @ ) bsalaw dot co dot th

http://www.bsalaw.co.th

###

Visit Bsa Law Website

space