Thai MPs flock to take up offer of cheap guns

ABOUT half of Thailand's national MPs are taking advantage of a new government plan allowing them to purchase guns at a discount and receive a licence to carry them anywhere.

Election campaigns in Thailand's rural areas are sometimes violent, and most campaigns are marked by several deaths, usually of vote canvassers who buy votes for their candidates. The new programme was arranged at the request of MPs, said Pranee Siridhammakun of the Interior Ministry's Provincial Administration Department

The offer was more popular with opposition politicians who cannot rely on police or soldiers for protection, MP Sakda Khongphet of the opposition Puea Thai party was quoted saying by the Bangkok Post newspaper.

Between 300 and 400 of the country's 630 legislators have applied under the programme, Pranee said. Some MPs, however, scoffed at the scheme.

"I don't agree with this campaign. No matter whether you're an MP from the government or opposition side, there is no need to carry a gun," Sirichoke Sopa of the ruling Democrat Party said.

Pranee said the prices of the guns were not yet fixed and would depend on the quantity purchased.