The event was held to “sweep up crimes to ensure the safety of tourists (Free Visa) according to government policy”, Region 8 Police reported, noting exactly which people are expected to be impressed by the police show of strength.
Under the latest tourism scheme, Chinese and Kazakhstan nationals are granted visa-free entry to Thailand from Sept 25 through to Feb 29, 2024.
Reports online have marked a 44% decrease in travel bookings to Thailand by Chinese nationals in the seven days after the shooting spree at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok earlier this month.
Pol Gen Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, and Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, were present for the occasion, held at the Saphan Hin centre stage area.
Also present was Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat along with all senior ranking officers from Region 8 Police, based at the northern end of Phuket.
Although based in Phuket, Region 8 Police oversees police operations in the seven upper Southern Thailand provinces of Ranong, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket.
Pol Gen Kittirat said that the launch of the “mobilisation to eradicate crime” showed “proactive work”.
“According to the policy of the Royal Thai Police and Provincial Police Region 8, whose personnel are ready, dedicated, sacrificed, and cooperate together, will uphold the law, maintain peace and order, safety, as well as take care of traffic conveniences, prevent and reduce road accidents,” he said.
“Because this period is the Vegetarian Festival, many people return to their hometowns and travel in large numbers to various places. We ask everyone to perform their duties and follow the tactical principles of working carefully in every step to ensure the safety of citizens and tourists,” Pol Gen Kittirat added.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong noted that an integrated effort with local administration officials, government agencies military units and other groups to bolster the campaign.
“There is an integration of forces from various operational units, totaling 369 personnel,” he said.
Following the assembly and parade of law enforcement vehicles at the event, Pol Gen Kittirat joined a display highlighting the arrest results of Region 8 Police’s efforts from Sept 25 to Oct 11.
Overall Region 8 Police marked a total of 1,580 cases with 1,635 suspects arrested, of whom, 272 were arrested on firearms offences, 1,119 were arrested on drug offences and 65 were arrested for gambling offences.
In making those arrests, police had seized 208 firearms, 289,104 methamphetamine tablets (ya bah), 80 kilogrammes of crystal meth (ya ice), 2.9 grammes of heroin and 4.18g of ecstasy pills.