POLICE from Patong and every other station on Phuket donned riot gear today in readiness for the Asean Plus Six summit on the island in mid-June.
The Government plan for the Internal Security Act to be imposed to make sure the international conference goes well translated into practice for about 300 island officers with clubs, shields and riot headgear.
Tomorrow in Phuket City, they will be drilling again for Lieutenant Colonel Santan Chayanon, commander of Southern Region 8.
Today Phuket's new police chief, Major General Pekad Tantipong, looked after the rehearsal.
About 2850 police will come to Phuket to ensure the security of the Asean gathering, 19 groups from various provinces with 150 members in each group.
Police will be spread out through the five-kilometre ''cordon sanitaire'' around the Hilton Phuket Arcadia to guarantee the safety of the leaders from the 16 countries attending.
Phuket police usually practice crowd control twice a month but that has been increased to make sure their skills are adequate for a potential crisis on the streets.
Latecomers today had to do 10 pushups. Tomorrow it will probably be 100.
Major General Pekad said that local police would be coping with life in general on the island and leave the close control of the event and protection of those involved to the military.
He told Phuketwan that Phuket has about 1100 permanent officers working three shifts across the island.
Today the rain interrupted proceedings, with some officers a little bemused at trying out night sticks and riot shields.
The 300 officers who will be heavily involved with Asean will be on show in a full demonstration of a riot practice tomorrow.
Major General Pekad, like the Governor and the new airport general manager, is a newcomer to the island.
''The first point I would like to improve on Phuket among police is service,'' Major General Pekad said.
''Once that is working well, we will look at what else needs to be improved.''
He said he was meeting with the Governor every day about a range of issues, including tuk-tuk drivers and the need for public transport on Phuket.
The drivers did not want a light rail service but a lot of other people on the island thought it would be a good idea, he said.
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The Government plan for the Internal Security Act to be imposed to make sure the international conference goes well translated into practice for about 300 island officers with clubs, shields and riot headgear.
Tomorrow in Phuket City, they will be drilling again for Lieutenant Colonel Santan Chayanon, commander of Southern Region 8.
Today Phuket's new police chief, Major General Pekad Tantipong, looked after the rehearsal.
About 2850 police will come to Phuket to ensure the security of the Asean gathering, 19 groups from various provinces with 150 members in each group.
Police will be spread out through the five-kilometre ''cordon sanitaire'' around the Hilton Phuket Arcadia to guarantee the safety of the leaders from the 16 countries attending.
Phuket police usually practice crowd control twice a month but that has been increased to make sure their skills are adequate for a potential crisis on the streets.
Latecomers today had to do 10 pushups. Tomorrow it will probably be 100.
Major General Pekad said that local police would be coping with life in general on the island and leave the close control of the event and protection of those involved to the military.
He told Phuketwan that Phuket has about 1100 permanent officers working three shifts across the island.
Today the rain interrupted proceedings, with some officers a little bemused at trying out night sticks and riot shields.
The 300 officers who will be heavily involved with Asean will be on show in a full demonstration of a riot practice tomorrow.
Major General Pekad, like the Governor and the new airport general manager, is a newcomer to the island.
''The first point I would like to improve on Phuket among police is service,'' Major General Pekad said.
''Once that is working well, we will look at what else needs to be improved.''
He said he was meeting with the Governor every day about a range of issues, including tuk-tuk drivers and the need for public transport on Phuket.
The drivers did not want a light rail service but a lot of other people on the island thought it would be a good idea, he said.
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It's Official Ready, set, go. The race has begun to ready the island and its people for a Asean Plus Six summit, plus spinoff benefits. The island's profile and income should gain a boost.
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Latest Which Phuket resort will gain the Asean Plus Six Summit that the PM has announced is coming to Phuket? There are two leading candidates, both good options.
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Photo Album A large public park in Phuket City was the setting for one of the biggest crowds the island has seen. The occasion: a political concert that happened to follow an assassination bid.
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