Thailand has a strict licensing system for civilian gun ownership, yet it also has one of Southeast Asia’s highest rates of civilian firearm ownership. Gun Culture in Thailand: Why Legal Rules and Real-World Access Tell Different StoriesThailand’s gun culture does not mirror the United States. Illegal gun ownership remains outside the registration systemA registered gun normally has an identifiable owner, serial number, and approved purpose. The Reuters report on Thailand’s gun culture links the figures to the country’s large civilian gun supply and repeated shootings. The 15.1 figure is therefore an estimate from 2017, not a precise current ranking of civilian gun ownership across ASEAN.