Speaking during a workshop about the government’s security policies on Thursday (May 21), Anutin said the Interior Ministry and the Royal Thai Police must work together as “provincial teams” to improve public safety and national security.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, senior interior ministers, provincial governors and police commanders, reports the Bangkok Post.
Anutin said security issues were complex and required closer coordination between the Interior Ministry, police, Justice Ministry and other security agencies to tackle.
“The result of integrated cooperation must be security and safety for the people,” he said.
He outlined several primary objectives for officials: “Relieve suffering, promote happiness, protect public peace, eliminate drugs and defeat gangsters.”
He then instructed governors and provincial police commanders to proactively share intelligence and coordinate with local administrative bodies, village heads and community leaders to monitor threats from narcotics, cybercrime and criminal networks.
He said the authorities must adopt long-term strategies rather than reacting only when major incidents attract public attention.
He also ordered stricter enforcement against technology-related crimes, including call-centre scams and online gambling operations, with authorities directed to expand investigations into financiers and criminal networks.
On firearms, Anutin reiterated the Interior Ministry’s order prohibiting ordinary citizens from carrying guns in public, saying anyone found carrying firearms illegally - including influential figures - must be arrested.
“There is no reason for people to carry firearms for self-defence. We are the ones responsible for protecting the people,” he said. “If anyone carries a gun, they tend to feel overly confident and become more aggressive. This is not a lawless country.”
Anutin said the prohibition on gun-carrying would remain in effect as long as he oversaw security affairs, adding that he did not believe any future government would reverse the measure.
He also warned officials not to be intimidated by criminal influence.
“People who think they are above the law often ask, ‘Do you know who I am?’” he said. “If they themselves do not know who they are, then you do not need to know either. Just deal with them.”
Anutin urged police and local authorities to aggressively suppress criminals and influential figures who intimidate the public.
He also told officials they would receive political backing for carrying out operations under government policy.
He added that officials’ performance would become clear within the coming months, saying by September, which marks the end of the fiscal year, it would be evident who was suitable to remain in their positions.
Anutin said the government would take responsibility for supporting officials acting in good faith under its policies.