PHUKET policing entered a new era today with the opening of a high-tech centre in Phuket City that will eventually be the eyes and ears of the entire island's force in the fight against crime and chaos.
Already 53 security cameras transmit images here from around Phuket City, and based on what they see officers can send letters fining the registered owners of motorcycles who are spotted with riders not wearing helmets.
The Phuket City centre, at Phuket Police HQ in Yaowarat Road, should also be able to take 191 calls in Thai and English from all over Phuket. However because ToT failed to keep an undertaking to meet a March 10 deadline, calls from mobiles to 191 cannot be taken for a few more days yet.
Calls from fixed lines or public telephone booths are fine - and officers at the centre can immediately contact mobile patrol officers anywhere throughout Phuket without needing to go through the island's eight police stations.
Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong, who opened the centre today with Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen, said callers should remember to stay calm and use key stores or other landmarks to let the officers know their precise position.
''We decided to staff the centre even though Phuket has a shortage of officers,'' Major General Pekad said. ''We need four people here around the clock over three shifts, with three people monitoring screens and taking calls, and a fourth in the radio room.''
Anyone who ignores a letter demanding a fine for not wearing a helmet and who subsequently gets pulled over again at a checkpoint will lose their licence, Major General Pekad said.
Other crimes should also be spotted via the cameras, and the network will eventually cover the entire island.
The highly successful ''100 percent helmet'' campaign begun by Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year 2010 Colonel Wanchai Eakpornpit is being continued by his successor as Superintendent of Phuket City police, Colonel Chote Chitchai, who transferred from Kaper in Ranong.
Phuket Health Officials Pout at Fish Fondle FadAlready 53 security cameras transmit images here from around Phuket City, and based on what they see officers can send letters fining the registered owners of motorcycles who are spotted with riders not wearing helmets.
The Phuket City centre, at Phuket Police HQ in Yaowarat Road, should also be able to take 191 calls in Thai and English from all over Phuket. However because ToT failed to keep an undertaking to meet a March 10 deadline, calls from mobiles to 191 cannot be taken for a few more days yet.
Calls from fixed lines or public telephone booths are fine - and officers at the centre can immediately contact mobile patrol officers anywhere throughout Phuket without needing to go through the island's eight police stations.
Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong, who opened the centre today with Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen, said callers should remember to stay calm and use key stores or other landmarks to let the officers know their precise position.
''We decided to staff the centre even though Phuket has a shortage of officers,'' Major General Pekad said. ''We need four people here around the clock over three shifts, with three people monitoring screens and taking calls, and a fourth in the radio room.''
Anyone who ignores a letter demanding a fine for not wearing a helmet and who subsequently gets pulled over again at a checkpoint will lose their licence, Major General Pekad said.
Other crimes should also be spotted via the cameras, and the network will eventually cover the entire island.
The highly successful ''100 percent helmet'' campaign begun by Phuketwan Phuket Person of the Year 2010 Colonel Wanchai Eakpornpit is being continued by his successor as Superintendent of Phuket City police, Colonel Chote Chitchai, who transferred from Kaper in Ranong.
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The "highly successful" helmet campaign - that'd be between the bankers hours of 9am through 3pm at the usual checkpoints?
Posted by Anonymous on March 10, 2011 15:56
Editor Comment:
Anonymous, more people are wearing helmets than ever before around the island. You must have missed it.