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A truck rolls in and exits through Phuket's Tachatchai police checkpoint

Checks Needed on Phuket Police Checkpoint, Says Consumer Advocate

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
PHUKET: Police at Phuket's Tachatchai checkpoint were experienced and could tell when suspicious vehicles passed through, a meeting was told yesterday.

The station's Deputy Superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel Tanet Puangmanee, was responding to a question asked by Phuket community police advocate Nikom Tongcham.

The questioner asked why police at the checkpoint, on the only road that enters and exits the island, often appeared to be sitting around reading newspapers rather than checking vehicles.

''Their role protecting Phuket should be taken seriously,'' the questioner said as part of an innovative program of consumer advocacy on Phuket.

Lt Colonel Tanet responded that the officers posted to Tachatchai were very experienced and usually were able to focus on vehicles that were suspicious because of that experience.

''If you want us to check everything, it's impossible,'' he said.

Yesterday's regular monthly meeting at Phuket Police Headquarters, chaired by Phuket Governor Maitree Intrusud and Phuket Police Commander Major General Chote Chawanwiwat, gives Phuket people the chance to ask questions through local community consultants.

Community advocate Teerayut Sritularak said that signs advertising for Burmese workers had been spotted in Phuket City, in the Burmese language.

''Is this legal?'' the questioner asked. ''Did anybody ask to put up these billborads or was it done without permission?''

Governor Maitree said he would have the Burmese-language billboards looked at by Phuket City Council.

Another consultant, Somkoon Tongdee, said that on a recent flight via Phuket airport it had been noted that security people there appeared to spend most of their time sitting around, doing nothing.

''I felt insecure and very very worried with the security guards not working,'' the questioner said. ''If I was a criminal, it's not hard to do something at Phuket airport.''

Governor Maitree said he would pass on the criticism to Airports of Thailand, which manages Phuket International Airport.

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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The last sentence highlights once huge problem! The Gov'nr will pass on the criticism...this is called feedback! Learn to deal and work with it, not take it as some assumed slight against you people.

Posted by paul on September 11, 2013 11:49

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I pass that checkpoint everyday and to be honest i find them always on patrol and pulling cars and trucks in for inspection.

Posted by Ciaran on September 11, 2013 12:31

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"The questioner asked why police at the checkpoint, on the only road that enters and exits the island, often appeared to be sitting around reading newspapers rather than checking vehicles" - made me laugh......maybe they have those devices on their head with rear vision.

Posted by Fiesty Farang on September 11, 2013 13:15

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when this checkpoint is "protecting phuket", which btw does many checks, then I have to ask, which permanent checkpoint is there to protect krabi, or phangnga?

Posted by robin on September 11, 2013 15:47

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Ciaran, it must be a timing thing, I have passed through that checkpoint countless times, sadly, my experience is NOT the same as yours. Never ONCE have I seen the police on station, never mind checking any vehicles. I also must laugh at Deputy Superintendent, Lieutenant Colonel Tanet Puangmanee's statement,"that the officers posted to Tachatchai were very experienced and usually were able to focus on vehicles that were suspicious because of that experience,"
essentially agreeing they do not always check vehicles, but have some psychic ability to identify "suspicious" vehicles.

Posted by DSI Watch on September 11, 2013 16:14

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I might add, that perhaps DSI should investigate why, at this checkpoint, smugglers can smuggle elephants onto Phuket. Let's face it, they aren't exactly small. Come on Governor (aka mirrors, he's always looking into things) do some work.

Posted by DSI Watch on September 11, 2013 16:19

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Do they ever stop bikes, which can carry guns and drugs etc?

Posted by Fiesty Farang on September 11, 2013 16:55

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Yes I do agree that the policing here on the island needs a kick in the a** sometimes. I had a guest who I guess is a little silly and went out alone late at night, got drunk and was easy target for robbers who robbed him at knifepoint along the way. Staff brought him to the Patong police station, and guess what, was promptly told to return to hotel to wait for patrol police to meet him. Why? Cos the police on standby is not able to take an official report without an investigating police around. Erm. I would have thought they would put them all on 24-7 duty? Apparently making a police report needs to be done during office hours, so if you are murdered, please kindly wait till 8 am before letting the police know.
And in that time the robbers are who knows where by then.
I am severely disheartened by the way things work in Phuket now. Authorities alike are all paying lip service while enjoying their easy way of life.

Posted by May on September 12, 2013 08:28


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