PHUKET: Law enforcement is to be strengthened on Phuket with more frequent intervention by the Crime Suppression Division from Bangkok, it was revealed at a tourism summit this week.
The Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Major General Supisarn Bhakdinarinath, told Phuketwan: ''We are ready to be involved whenever we are needed.''
The case of Norwegian expat Stein Dokset and the body in his bin and the case of young smuggled elephants Popeye and Joey represented two examples this week of how the CSD could be used even more on Phuket in future.
Involvement of the Bangkok-based group represents a breakthrough. Phuket Deputy Police Commander Pirayuth Karajadi welcomed the move.
CSD chief Major General Supisarn has even joined the special committee looking at tourism rip-offs and other industry related problems and was at this week's meeting on Phuket headed by Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism.
Deputy Commander Pirayuth said: ''Anything that happens involving the bad treatment of residents, expats or tourists should be reported to local police stations.
''If for some reason the local station does not follow through, make a report to the Phuket Police Headquarters in Phuket City.''
Phuket's new Police Commander, Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun, arrived on Phuket late last year and has been quick to immerse himself in some of the island's enforcement issues.
The Deputy Chair of the Senate Standing Committee, Senator Sutham Pantusak, said this week that there were concerns about suspicious expats moving from Pattaya to Phuket. The fact two Iranians being held over bombs in Bangkok arrived in Thailand via Phuket was a sign of future security needs.
Major General Supisarn of the CSD added: ''People who live and work on Phuket know what the problems are and know who is responsible. Sometimes, local authorities use their power in wrong ways.
''We need to ensure that laws are enforced, and that people who do the right thing do not suffer. Our teams will support Phuket people who need help.''
The Commander of the Crime Suppression Division, Major General Supisarn Bhakdinarinath, told Phuketwan: ''We are ready to be involved whenever we are needed.''
The case of Norwegian expat Stein Dokset and the body in his bin and the case of young smuggled elephants Popeye and Joey represented two examples this week of how the CSD could be used even more on Phuket in future.
Involvement of the Bangkok-based group represents a breakthrough. Phuket Deputy Police Commander Pirayuth Karajadi welcomed the move.
CSD chief Major General Supisarn has even joined the special committee looking at tourism rip-offs and other industry related problems and was at this week's meeting on Phuket headed by Senator Tunyaratt Achariyachai, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism.
Deputy Commander Pirayuth said: ''Anything that happens involving the bad treatment of residents, expats or tourists should be reported to local police stations.
''If for some reason the local station does not follow through, make a report to the Phuket Police Headquarters in Phuket City.''
Phuket's new Police Commander, Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun, arrived on Phuket late last year and has been quick to immerse himself in some of the island's enforcement issues.
The Deputy Chair of the Senate Standing Committee, Senator Sutham Pantusak, said this week that there were concerns about suspicious expats moving from Pattaya to Phuket. The fact two Iranians being held over bombs in Bangkok arrived in Thailand via Phuket was a sign of future security needs.
Major General Supisarn of the CSD added: ''People who live and work on Phuket know what the problems are and know who is responsible. Sometimes, local authorities use their power in wrong ways.
''We need to ensure that laws are enforced, and that people who do the right thing do not suffer. Our teams will support Phuket people who need help.''
