Security drive well under way
PHUKET: Kathu police have stepped up policing to try to achieve the “Phuket Model” of security, which includes a Patong safety zone aimed at creating a non-crime zone in Phuket’s tourism hotspot.
Paritta Wangkiat
Tuesday 31 July 2012, 11:14AM
The Superintendent of Kathu police station, Pol Col Jirapat Phoachanapan, said in a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (July 30) that 12 officers have been stationed at each of six zones in Patong.
In addition, six check points have been set up around Patong, on Prabaramee Rd, Thaweewong Rd, and Rat U-Thit 200 Pi Rd at periods when statistics show crime is most likely.
Col Jirapat reported that more raids have also been staged to seize weapons and drugs, and stamp out gambling and “gathering places for illegal activities”.
Like the overall security plan for Phuket, the Patong scheme relies heavily on cooperation from local people and the installation of increasing numbers of CCTV cameras.
“Police cooperation with local people is very important,” Col Jirapat said. “For example, we now have more CCTV cameras on Soi Tan, installed by local businesspeople as part of our cooperation.”
“We are now cooperating with other local people to ask for their help in completing installation of CCTV cameras [in front of their buildings] as soon as possible.”
Once Patong is established as a secure zone, the focus of the Phuket Model will switch to Kata-Karon, the meeting was told, with check points being set up on Karon Beach Rd, Kata Beach Rd and Patak Rd.
The Phuket Model is a security policy ordered by the government and the Royal Thai Police, following the brutal stabbing murder of Australian travel agent Michelle Smith on June 20.
