The centre is crucial for receiving reports “from citizens and tourists, both Thai and foreigners”, said a report of the inspection by the Phuket branch of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).
However, the 191 hotline does not have any foreign language services. People intending to cal the 191 hotline in an emergency are strongly urged to have a native Thai speaker make the call.
Non-Thai speakers are strongly urged to instead use the Tourist Police ‘I Lert U’ app (available on Google Play and the App Store), which has even resulted in foreign tourists lost in the jungle in Phuket being found and safely recovered.
Regardless, the PR Phuket report of the inspection yesterday marked the 191 Phuket control room “to support measures to stimulate tourism”, and noted that the control room will soon become increasingly important following the visa-free policy approved for Chinese and Kazakh tourists from next Monday (Sept 25) to Feb 29, 2024.
Pol Maj Gen Saksira emphasised the need to check the readiness of personnel “by integrating them with the Tourist Police and various sectors, both public and private”, and check the readiness of communication equipment and “modern information technology systems that will be linked with networks in every sector in caring for, helping, and maintaining safety for tourists”, the report said.
The centre will be instrumental in helping to locate “hidden persons or persons who illegally enter to commit crimes in the area”, Maj Gen Saksira said.
“This creates confidence in safety and stability for Phuket Province and Thailand,” he said
“Therefore, we are ready to respond to the policies of the Royal Thai Police, to put in place safety measures for both Thai and foreign tourists, including building confidence in readiness to support the increasing number of tourists from urgent tourism stimulus measures,” Maj Gen Saksira concluded.