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Security cameras may be used to improve Phuket region protection

Photo by phuketwan.com

'500,000 Cameras' Plan for Phuket Region

By Nuansiri Chirunkamolwut and Alan Morison

Sunday, February 19, 2012

News Analysis

PHUKET: A key government spokesman last night proposed covering Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga with 500,000 security cameras as a means of ensuring the safety of tourists.

The idea by Pheu Thai Party spokesman Phrompong Nopparit came after a meeting on Tourism Safety involving Patong business leaders and citizens and centred on ''Thousands of Eyes for Safety''.

Khun Phrompong did not reveal whether extra police would be hired to boost Phuket's undersized force, and he did not say who would be watching the 500,000 cameras to check what was happening.

He also did not say whether tourists and residents wanted to have their activities watched 24-hours, around the clock.

But he did say his suggestion would go straight to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at a Pheu Thai party meeting this week in Bangkok.

News that Cabinet will meet on Phuket from March 18-20 has generated a number of ''quick-fix'' solutions to Phuket's core problems.

The proposed solutions mostly involve lots of money, as if spending is the answer. This overlooks the two key points:

..Phuket needs honest law enforcement at every level, in every situation;

..Phuket needs sensible long-term planning that cannot be replaced by ''quick-fix'' big-spend infrastructure.

It's not that 500,000 security cameras wouldn't help - provided they come with an extra 500 police to watch the cameras and respond appropriately around the clock.

Friday's meeting at the Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa was organised by Patong people and attracted an audience of 300. Some good ideas emerged.

Patong businessman Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin suggested real-time television on Patong and at other Phuket beaches would help to encourage tourism.

In the aftermath of a 200,000 baht resort fire and complaints about noise from tourists, he said that illegal firecracker sales on Patong and other beaches should be stopped immediately.

The President of the Patong Entertainment Association, Weerawit Kuressombut, said that it would also be useful if every night venue in Patong was obliged to fit security cameras and to pipe the feed to screens outside the premises so that police could be called if trouble occurred.

The meeting was a demonstration that Patong people are keen to be involved in finding solutions to tourism's problems.

The key participants went for a stroll down Soi Bangla last night.

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Comments

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You could put as many cameras as you want, but unless you put quality cameras, you wouldn't be able to see anything.

I have seen the cameras they have used in Phuket and the picture quality is like a pirated video tape of ET back in the 80's.

Posted by Tbs on February 19, 2012 11:04

500,000 cameras.... LOL.. Duh... Let us give every inbound tourist a mobile phone that calls directly to Khun Phrompong to ensure that the police will come.

Posted by john s on February 19, 2012 11:04

I can see the ads now: "Enjoy your holiday in paradise while a half million security cameras watch your every move - for your own safety of course, because we care about our tourists!"

Sounds really creepy to me...

Posted by Relox on February 19, 2012 11:05

Is someones family in the video camera supply trade ??

Half a million cameras.. Monitored by who ?

Just another not even slightly thought through idea.

Posted by LivinLOS on February 19, 2012 11:37

Let's not have a repeat of what happened last time security cameras were installed in Patong. Huge budget to buy and install the cameras, zero budget to maintain them.

Posted by Soupdragon on February 19, 2012 11:38

Without proper monitoring or a vigilant police force, it's all a waste.... And I have no doubt that it would be a waste.

Posted by Dan on February 19, 2012 12:45

Quality digital cameras are needed on strategic locations! Not cheap B&W cameras where faces can not even be recognized!
But then again, since there is no will to enforce laws ethically and equally for everyone, all the money on cameras is wasted again.

Posted by Mr. K on February 19, 2012 15:22

George Orwell "eat your heart out!". Even you could not have envisaged this scale of Big Brother is Watching You! But of course it won't happen, unless to line deep pockets. Imagine the cost & the potential for rip offs on the scale suggested. You would need several custom built centres to monitor such numbers of cameras & the manpower levels for 24 hour surveillance would be unsustainable. It's a real 'pie in the sky' politican posturing suggestion.

Posted by Logic on February 19, 2012 16:18

Correct me if I am wrong, but don't they already have cameras monitoring most of Patong Beach, and isn't that exactly where most of the problems occur? It hasn't seemed to be very effective so far?

Posted by jesse on February 19, 2012 16:23

(moderated)

Posted by Mister Ree on February 19, 2012 20:05

Editor Comment:

The comments facility is provided for readers who are interested in improving Phuket and the Andaman, and who have constructive ideas. Time and again we've proved our capacity to get to the truth. If you doubt the veracity of our articles, feel free to visit other sites . . . and stay there.

I don't think Locals or tourists have a choice, in fact if we are not going to do anything wrong, why should we object.

Posted by Gregg Cornell on February 19, 2012 23:47

Editor Comment:

Er, because the cost of setting up and maintaining 500,000 cameras would provide a lot of hospitals and schools, and it wouldn't help as much as 500 or 1000 additional police officers.

I think a more visible police force would achieve a better result.

Posted by chaseone on February 20, 2012 07:57

(moderated)

Posted by LivinLOS on February 20, 2012 08:29

Editor Comment:

LivinLOS, what you choose to believe is entirely your own affair. The comment space is for additional information or constructive ideas. If you don't have any ideas, don't bother us. Having proved our accuracy time and time again, we no longer fuss about carping readers. Take it in . . . or let it out elsewhere.

All the cameras in the world aren't going to fix anything ! For less money, you need to train & put more boots on the ground 24/7 in highrisk / tourist areas that not only are able to respond, but are a visible deterrent. As this ongoing problem seems to centre around tourists, there should be serious considerartion where you have some expats who live in Thailand also involved / consult.

Posted by Anonymous on February 20, 2012 09:42

I have tried to get an opinion across on 2 occasions, failing both times.

I wonder how I have to choose my wording to get it published but I'll give it one more try.

The problem is not in lack of infrastructure, money or manpower. It's in the attitudes of locals.

There are plenty of people, mostly Thais, who see and hear what is happening but very rarely do they come forward in defence of a foreign victim of crime.

The case of Mr. Trotnow being a prime example. Assaulted by a pack of locals right opposite the police booth in the busiest corner of Bangla and nobody saw a thing, including the CCTV cameras.

Even when presented with indisputable video evidence, I've personally experienced the police just ignoring the case since the assailant was a connected Thai and the victim a foreigner (me).

Until this attitude changes, the security of foreigners in Thailand is only going to deteriorate further.

Posted by Steve C. on February 20, 2012 09:56

Editor Comment:

Steve C., to condemn all locals for the behavior of a few is wrong-headed. You left out the four letter F-word, Fear, which is why in some cases honest responses can be poor. To blame all Thais or all locals for the attitudes of a few is unfair. The core issue has little to do with foreigners. Attitudes won't change until Fear is obliterated.

500,000 cameras, mm, seems like another figure a person in authority has pulling out of their arsenal, to justify or improve their own position or status, even if true, ha ha, I, as a communications/security technician of 40 years, would like to see the infrastructure to handle that number of cameras, it would be huge, along with support staff and staff to monitor them.

Posted by Laurie Howells on February 20, 2012 10:19

Editor Comment:

@ ED.."Reply to Livinlos.." The comment space is for additional information or constructive ideas."
From your Home Page says...
"Readers can also add their own comments on every story. We are keen to hear what you have to say."

Get it right Ed...It only works when all is in your favour huh...BTW what happened to the recent thread on the overhead rail to chalong? Twice now that i have pointed out an error on your part, you simply delete the whole thread.....amazing and amusing..yet you jump on others like a [deleted gratuitous personal slur] when they get it wrong....

Posted by davidj949 on February 20, 2012 11:57

Editor Comment:

You must have missed it, David, but I'll post it again just for you. It's displayed prominently on the front page:

PHUKETWAN hereby alters its policy on the posting of Comments and bans whingers, whiners, do-nothings, dingbats, doomsayers, carpers, harpers and kooks. This list may grow with time. Constructive ideas and new pieces of information remain welcome.

Overhead rail to Chalong? What overhead rail to Chalong?

(moderated)

Posted by LivinLOS on February 20, 2012 12:40

Editor Comment:

PHUKETWAN hereby alters its policy on the posting of Comments and bans whingers, whiners, do-nothings, dingbats, doomsayers, carpers, harpers and kooks. This list may grow with time. Constructive ideas and new pieces of information remain welcome.

Ed, you are correct. Fear is a major factor and definitely the reason why I have not pursued my case despite the video evidence. Even my own Embassy staff advised me against it.

The reasons for fear are not difficult to pinpoint, especially when the Tuk-Tuk "team" is involved but there's more to this than just fear.

My original wording was "far too many Thais". I never painted everyone with the same brush. Have you never heard the saying Thais should always defend Thais ?

I've wittnessed a few incidents where Thais have stood up in defense of foreigners and heard first hand the scorn they get for it from Thai bystanders ( I speak relatively good Thai but can't read or write)

Case in point, the brave lady in Phuket Town who helped the tourists not to get scammed.

To what extent this bias is present on Phuket can be debated but to deny it exists is like hiding one's head in the sand.

(moderated)

Posted by Steve C. on February 20, 2012 17:49

Editor Comment:

Your posts are too long, Steve C. Apologies, but the concept is for short responses, not essays that are far longer than the original article. No point either in libelling individuals.

To me, those who hide their head in the sand are those who believe nothing will ever change. Some of us believe change can be achieved, but it won't be achieved by those who believe - as you seem to - that it's a lost cause. If you think that, I'd ask you not to keep filling space here repeating the same constantly negative themes. There's a young generation of readers who do not believe change is impossible, and who deserve to be encouraged in that belief.

I've seen some long posts published before so I though it was ok. Point taken.

I do wish however that you would extend me the courtesy of not making assumptions. I don't like it any more than you do.

I've never said nothing will change and don't think like that either. The most negative thing I've said is that the track record of local authorities in solving these issues is not good.

I do think the ASEAN labour market liberation in 2015 and it's social impacts on Phuket are worth a discussion but I admit this is not the forum. Just wanted to introduce a new point of view.

Posted by Steve C. on February 20, 2012 18:36

Editor Comment:

Steve C., One of things we set out to do when we started Comments was to demolish some of the chat-room myth-making that was then patently obvious, paranoiac and highly damaging, and to make sure that readers were better informed. With the exception of ''murders'' and cases of ''strangling'' that are in any other part of the word suicide by hanging, I think we've largely achieved that aim. Without a balanced perspective that gives fair emphasis to the positive, too many of the problems of Phuket are blamed on Thais who have nothing to do with generating or profiting from those problems. I would urge you to make a similar distinction in everything you write. Doomsaying about Asean is not especially helpful. Providing a potential solution or two might be.

This has got to be a joke. Or a misprint. Or they've gone completely mad. Or, unbelievably, it's collusion between local authorities and business.
Western visitors enjoy Thailand to escape Big Brother mentality, not to find more of the same.
500000 cameras, that 1.5 camera per inhabitant. By comparison, the UK, which I believe has the highest density of CCTV cameras in the world has (only) 1 camera for every 14 citizens. They want 10 times as many in Phuket.
Work out for yourself the cost of such an operation vs the benefit of catching a couple of petty thieves, and the camera density over the whole Phuket province when you know is is just over 500 sq km.
Answers for the lazy ones:- at 5000 Baht a piece (my guess) the cost, not including the running ones, is 2.5 billion Baht!
- it also means about one camera every 33m x 33m square, including jungle space.
I think the money can be better spent to check the monkeys.

Posted by Alex on February 28, 2012 06:36

Editor Comment:

The camera plan, as the story says, covers Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, not just Phuket.

(moderated)

Posted by A on February 28, 2012 10:07

Editor Comment:

(moderated)

Posted by Alex on February 28, 2012 12:41

Editor Comment:

You are being censored (a) because you are repeatedly commenting on this thread using different sign-offs and (b) our policy has changed so that we no longer put up with harpers and carpers. After years of giving critics excessive airplay and time in response, we now offer complainants and critics two choices: accept what you read, or take your eyes elsewhere.

Constructive suggesting a repeat for the experiment:
"Sunday, November 20, 2011
About Your Phuketwan
PHUKET: The editor of Phuketwan will fall silent at midnight on Sunday and stay silent for an entire week. This is part of an experiment to see what happens to readers' comments in that time."

Posted by Alex on February 28, 2012 12:50

Editor Comment:

How many messages is that on this topic, Alex? Do you enjoy wasting other readers' time, and mine? Move on, we all have already.

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