The order, dated Friday (June 9), was also directed at all local village headmen and called for heightened surveillance at government buildings and key tourism areas, such as main tourist attractions, key ports and piers, hotels and Phuket International Airport.
The order is to remain in effect for a week and was echoed by similar orders issued in Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Surat Thani – but did not specify a reason for the heightened security.
Governor Norraphat pointed out that it is the government’s duty to protect people’s lives and property.
Accordingly, searches of vehicles coming onto the island at the Phuket Checkpoint at Tha Chatchai are to be increased and more stringent, and CCTV is to be checked more frequently.
“Phuket is already covered well by CCTV, especially in important and risk areas. The CCTV system is linked and feeds directly to the provincial operations centre at the main office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket branch (DDPM-Phuket),” he said.
“We are well prepared in this respect, but CCTV now must be under 24-hour surveillance.”
All persons are to report any suspicious activities to the nearest authorities* as soon as possible, Gov Norraphat added.
“These measures will add to safety and security in Phuket and boost confidence among residents and tourists in the area,” he said.
* Royal Thai Police national hotline: Tel: 191 / Tourist Police hotline: 1155