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 ...
Apparently just photographing a Buddha is OK.
I have several Buddha slides from R&R trip in 1972, including the solid gold Buddha that was only rediscovered in 1956. Then there’s a pic of me wearing a sixtoon foot python at the local herpetological zoo. Most bored looking animal I ever saw.
“sixtoon”?
Geez........ and I criticize those who write “to” when they mean “too”.
I agree with your (Cringing Negativism Network) stance. I went to Bangkok this last summer and was amazed at what a wonderful city it was. You saw the occasional tranny, which don’t get me wrong it’s totally gross, but it did seem more like a libertarian society. You can’t have a free society like that without drawing out some weirdos.
I was told the crime rate in the city was low for it’s size because of their awful prison conditions. Not sure how I feel about that, but it did feel very safe walking around.
You can have a bad experience anywhere you go, but I would urge people to not be too critical about Thailand unless you’ve spent some time there. I saw more pedo activity in Philippines with all the old, fat, white, Americans coming over to marry underage girls. Sad to say, but I found that more disgusting than the trannies in Thailand.
yes....Thailand.....this time,
That happens in all 50 States in case you were unaware.
See 14.
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