In addition, he has requested that business operators report any suspicious activities to authorities immediately.
Provincial Police Chief Col Teerapol Thipjaroen yesterday (July 15) gave an order to all police departments on the island to ramp up their security effort to provide safety to residents and tourists following the tragic incident in Nice where the suspect drove a lorry into crowds of people while they were celebrating France’s national day.
Col Teerapol explained, “To keep Phuket safe, officials must be vigilant when patrolling their area and must keep up with the security effort. I have ordered every department to set up checkpoints in all areas leading in and out of tourist areas.
“I have requested Immigration Police be posted at the main checkpoint and at the airport. The customs office have also been advised to be on the look out for any suspicious packages and there will be an increase in the number of checkpoint set up across the island especially in areas with lots of tourists such as Patong, Karon and Kamala.
Local residents and business operators have been told to report any suspicious people or activity to local police.
Last night at 8pm, Thalang Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Amnoy Kraiwuttianan led his team of officers to set up a checkpoint at the Tha Ruea police box on Thepkassttri road southbound in Srisoonthorn and conducted a 24-hour patrol in the area to check vehicles left parked at local convenience stores.
In Cherng Talay, Police Chief Col Serm Khawnnimit led his officers set up a checkpoint at Surin Beach junction and another one in front of Tesco Lotus Cherng Talay.