The event, to be held from Friday through Sunday (Jan 16-18), is expected to draw tens, if not hundreds, of thousands to the area.
The measures were outlined at a provincial-level coordination meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam yesterday (Jan 13).
The meeting brought together representatives from security agencies, public health services, transport authorities, tourism officials and the event organiser, Future Vibes Co Ltd, with the Phuket Provincial Tourism and Sports Office acting as the main coordinating body.
Mr Suwit said Phuket Province has designated “safety” as the central priority for EDC Thailand 2026, with planning covering all stages of the event, from travel to and from the venue to crowd control, emergency medical care, crime prevention and responses to unforeseen incidents.
Under the plan, police numbers and security personnel will be significantly increased compared with previous events. Administrative officials will be divided into external zones, responsible for traffic management and crowd flow around the venue, and internal zones focused on maintaining safety inside the event area.
A multi-tiered emergency response system will be in place to deal with incidents including brawls, violent behaviour, drug-related offences, medical emergencies and other security threats. Screening measures, bag checks and behavioural observation will be intensified, with organisers confirming that overall security capacity will be doubled from last year.
A key element of the plan is the establishment of an integrated central communications system. Authorities will rely on a dedicated radio network linking police, district officials, event organisers and medical teams, allowing rapid coordination and command even if mobile phone networks become congested due to large crowds.
Public health and emergency medical preparedness were also highlighted as critical to the safe operation of the event. Emergency medical teams, nurses and rescue personnel will be stationed throughout the venue, supported by life-saving equipment including oxygen supplies, ventilators and saline solutions.
Plans are in place for the rapid transfer of critically ill or injured patients to Phuket’s main hospitals. Doctors will oversee all transfers to ensure continuity of care and to reduce the risk of serious injury or death, officials said.
Traffic and transport arrangements were another major focus of the meeting. Designated pick-up and drop-off points for buses and vans will be established to prevent roadside parking near the stage and surrounding areas, reducing the risk of accidents and congestion.
Dedicated parking zones will be used, including areas near Cherng Talay School, with traffic police and officials deployed to manage vehicle flow before, during and after the event. Authorities said the aim is to minimise disruption to local residents while ensuring smooth access for festival goers.
Community safety in areas surrounding the venue was also discussed. Officials stressed the need to manage noise levels, provide advance notification to nearby communities and carry out corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities with neighbouring villages.
Controls on fireworks and loud noises will be enforced to limit the impact on pets, bedridden patients and other vulnerable residents, while maintaining the festive atmosphere of the event, officials assured.
Mr Suwit said Phuket intends to use EDC Thailand 2026 to demonstrate its capability as a world-class event destination.
“Fun is allowed, but it must come with the utmost safety,” he said, adding that all relevant agencies will operate in an integrated manner around the clock.
The coordinated approach, he said, is intended to build confidence among local residents, tourists and international audiences that Phuket can host major global events while maintaining high safety and security standards.