PHUKET: Patong police are getting ready for pedal patrols as the Phuket-wide Safety Zone project to protect tourists and residents takes a new turn or two.
Ten new bicycles are expected to offer Patong police and local volunteers a means of mingling close to the beach that pickups and motorcycles don't provide.
Phuketwan caught some police taking a spin yesterday around the car park at Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong.
Tomorrow and Friday, there will be an induction course for officers and the volunteers who will combine to make up the pedal patrols.
And on Saturday, the Safety Zone pedal patrols will be launched by Major General Chalermkiat Sriworakan, Assistant to Thailand's Police Chief, at Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa.
''Well at least we will get some exercise,'' one officer told Phuketwan yesterday. ''It fills the gap between motorcycle patrols and police on foot.
''We will be able to move faster around some parts of Patong this way, along footpaths and down Soi Bangla when it's a walking street.''
Perhaps the Bangla photo touts carrying slow lorises and iguanas, and occasionally gibbons, will finally be caught. Drug peddlers also better watch out for the meddler pedallers.
The 10 bicycles have come from a 25,000 baht donation from private enterprise in Patong.
Police at the popular Phuket beach destination are hoping sponsorship will bring 10 more bicycles, plus helmets and uniforms for the pedal patrols.
The idea will be that a team of riders and police will be assembled in all six of Patong's Safety Zone regions.
From then on, more silent wheels will be turning to protect Patong.
Ten new bicycles are expected to offer Patong police and local volunteers a means of mingling close to the beach that pickups and motorcycles don't provide.
Phuketwan caught some police taking a spin yesterday around the car park at Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong.
Tomorrow and Friday, there will be an induction course for officers and the volunteers who will combine to make up the pedal patrols.
And on Saturday, the Safety Zone pedal patrols will be launched by Major General Chalermkiat Sriworakan, Assistant to Thailand's Police Chief, at Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa.
''Well at least we will get some exercise,'' one officer told Phuketwan yesterday. ''It fills the gap between motorcycle patrols and police on foot.
''We will be able to move faster around some parts of Patong this way, along footpaths and down Soi Bangla when it's a walking street.''
Perhaps the Bangla photo touts carrying slow lorises and iguanas, and occasionally gibbons, will finally be caught. Drug peddlers also better watch out for the meddler pedallers.
The 10 bicycles have come from a 25,000 baht donation from private enterprise in Patong.
Police at the popular Phuket beach destination are hoping sponsorship will bring 10 more bicycles, plus helmets and uniforms for the pedal patrols.
The idea will be that a team of riders and police will be assembled in all six of Patong's Safety Zone regions.
From then on, more silent wheels will be turning to protect Patong.
"Perhaps the Bangla photo touts carrying slow lorises and iguanas, and occasionally gibbons, will finally be caught"
I have reported these people many times to the police box at Bangla, and have photos of about 4-5 different people offering Loris' not to mention the lizard touts.
No one has done anything and now they start from 4pm.
The police should be present on Bangla all afternoon/evening.
Posted by Secret Squirrel on October 3, 2012 10:46