“We [the DSI] can't just rush out and catch criminals right away after someone reports an issue. We can only take care of some cases, which are been specifically approved by our committee.
“That said, people can still seek help by walking into our centres. One is in Phuket Town at Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters, and the other one is at Phuket international Airport. Or people can call us via the main Bangkok office on 02 575 4306.
“When it comes to looking into cases, representatives of the DSI, police, AOT [Airports of Thailand], Department of Land Transport, and other relevant departments have a meeting every Tuesday in the afternoon. Assignments are then dispatched to the relevant departments.”
To test responses, The Phuket News first called the phone numbers listed for the centre at the Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters: 076 217 144 and 076 217 145.
A female officer answered, and said, “This number works from 8am to 5pm on work days [Monday to Friday], though occasionally the centre can be closed on a working day when there is an important event – such as yesterday when a deputy minister came.
"However, the centre at the airport is open for 24 hours, every day.”
The Phuket News then tried calling 076 327 100, the phone number listed for the centre at the airport.
Another female officer answered, and told The Phuket News, “This centre is open for 24 hours every day. There are two shifts – day and night – and two to three officers are here in each shift.
"When people call us, or come in person to report their problems, we will record them, and give them to our boss.
“Our boss will then decide where each case should be sent to – for example, tourist police, local police or another department.”
So far, it seems the system is working.
Read more stories about the Tourist Assistance Centres here.