PHUKET: With a media corps to rival a rock star gathering, Phuket's first Crime Crisis Centre burst into life today at Phuket International Airport.
Neatly outfitted DSI staff lined up to greet the Minister of Tourism and Sport, the chairman of Airports of Thailand, the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism, their own DSI chief, and Phuket's Police Commander.
We can't say how organised Phuket's organised crime might be, but the good guys at the top of the law enforcement side certainly now how to mingle.
Upstaged in all the hoopla was the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who perhaps chose the wrong time and the wrong day to fly in by private jet for a private visit, according to Phuket airport sources.
The media, however, was not to be diverted and stayed focussed on the Crime Crisis Centre. Or to give it the full treatment, the Integrated Operational Centre for Prevention and Suppressing Organised Crime for Phuket.
If you don't mind, Phuket will use our shortened version. The centre is in the airport main building near the international exit.
The campaign to contain crime on Phuket will gain another boost tonight with the arrival of Thailand's top policeman, General Adul Saengsingkaew, who will be paying a visit to Patong to stroll around Soi Bangla.
The Phuket campaign sprang from agitation by honorary consuls and their ambassadors for action against scams, rip-offs and extortionate fares charged by tuk-tuks and taxis on Phuket.
If this anti-crime campaign was a movie, today Phuket reached the ''lights, camera . . .'' phase. Next comes ''action.''
Neatly outfitted DSI staff lined up to greet the Minister of Tourism and Sport, the chairman of Airports of Thailand, the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Tourism, their own DSI chief, and Phuket's Police Commander.
We can't say how organised Phuket's organised crime might be, but the good guys at the top of the law enforcement side certainly now how to mingle.
Upstaged in all the hoopla was the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who perhaps chose the wrong time and the wrong day to fly in by private jet for a private visit, according to Phuket airport sources.
The media, however, was not to be diverted and stayed focussed on the Crime Crisis Centre. Or to give it the full treatment, the Integrated Operational Centre for Prevention and Suppressing Organised Crime for Phuket.
If you don't mind, Phuket will use our shortened version. The centre is in the airport main building near the international exit.
The campaign to contain crime on Phuket will gain another boost tonight with the arrival of Thailand's top policeman, General Adul Saengsingkaew, who will be paying a visit to Patong to stroll around Soi Bangla.
The Phuket campaign sprang from agitation by honorary consuls and their ambassadors for action against scams, rip-offs and extortionate fares charged by tuk-tuks and taxis on Phuket.
If this anti-crime campaign was a movie, today Phuket reached the ''lights, camera . . .'' phase. Next comes ''action.''
Did Chutima find out, if not could she find out how many of the group speak English or another foreign language?
Posted by Pete on August 9, 2013 15:26
Editor Comment:
As we've reported, The Crime Crisis Centre staff are supposed to be proficient at English.