Athakan Fucharoen, Phuket’s Chief Prosecutor, explained that the new system will use video conferencing for remand hearings instead of personal appearances before the court.
“Up to now the accused had to be brought to the court for each remand hearing [every 12 days], and the officials involved also had to attend each hearing. Using [web conferencing] makes security and prevention of terrorism more effective and saves money as well. In addition, officials will have to spend less time in court.”
CAT Telecom will provide the facilities linking all 10 police stations, the prison and the courts for video-conferencing.
Phuket Police Commander Maj Gen Choti Chavalviwat said, ‘Web conferences are a good way to apply technology so that officials will not spend as much time in court hearings; now they can appear online instead.
“It also means that officials can ask court officials for advice much more easily. Also, all hearings will be recorded for future review.”