PHUKET: A meeting of resort managements and local businesses was being held with Phuket police at a large resort in Mai Khao this afternoon.
Phuketwan reporters, told by police that they were welcome to attend, were turned away by security guards at the entrance to the JW Marriott Resort and Spa this afternoon.
At least one local family restaurant was invited to be represented at the meeting. However, 24 hours later, the invitation was cancelled.
It's believed that the meeting was aimed at improving safety and security of resort guests in the Mai Khao coast area, around some of Phuket's top five-star resorts.
The resorts front Mai Khao beach and are backed by a large scenic wetlands park, ideal for bicycling.
Officers at Tachatchai Police Station, which oversees the area, are likely to increase patrols for the tourism high season. By some estimations the season begins earlier now, on November 1.
Families who run local restaurants and are long-time residents say random crimes have increased.
A male European tourist, out for a bicycle ride, was kicked and injured as he tried to prevent a bag snatching a few days ago.
Other random attacks have been reported.
''We lost 10,000 bahts' worth of seafood in a theft recently,'' a restaurant worker said. ''They knocked the lock off a cooler.
''Another time, a thief came and drank some beer and ate icecream in the restaurant.''
Workers at Mai Khao's appealing beachside restaurants have taken to travelling in groups for safety when they head for home after dark.
Tourists out for dinner are usually offered rides back to their resorts.
The local village chief dropped by earlier this week and said the Mai Khao Council was aiming to outfit the restaurant area with four security cameras.
Two tourist couples interviewed by Phuketwan this afternoon in the Mai Khao beach area were unconcerned about the risks. ''There things happen everywhere,'' one said.
Thailand's Chief Commissioner of Police, General Adul Saengsingkaew, visited Phuket earlier this month to announce that an extra 700 officers would be allocated to Phuket in the 2014 budget.
Phuketwan reporters, told by police that they were welcome to attend, were turned away by security guards at the entrance to the JW Marriott Resort and Spa this afternoon.
At least one local family restaurant was invited to be represented at the meeting. However, 24 hours later, the invitation was cancelled.
It's believed that the meeting was aimed at improving safety and security of resort guests in the Mai Khao coast area, around some of Phuket's top five-star resorts.
The resorts front Mai Khao beach and are backed by a large scenic wetlands park, ideal for bicycling.
Officers at Tachatchai Police Station, which oversees the area, are likely to increase patrols for the tourism high season. By some estimations the season begins earlier now, on November 1.
Families who run local restaurants and are long-time residents say random crimes have increased.
A male European tourist, out for a bicycle ride, was kicked and injured as he tried to prevent a bag snatching a few days ago.
Other random attacks have been reported.
''We lost 10,000 bahts' worth of seafood in a theft recently,'' a restaurant worker said. ''They knocked the lock off a cooler.
''Another time, a thief came and drank some beer and ate icecream in the restaurant.''
Workers at Mai Khao's appealing beachside restaurants have taken to travelling in groups for safety when they head for home after dark.
Tourists out for dinner are usually offered rides back to their resorts.
The local village chief dropped by earlier this week and said the Mai Khao Council was aiming to outfit the restaurant area with four security cameras.
Two tourist couples interviewed by Phuketwan this afternoon in the Mai Khao beach area were unconcerned about the risks. ''There things happen everywhere,'' one said.
Thailand's Chief Commissioner of Police, General Adul Saengsingkaew, visited Phuket earlier this month to announce that an extra 700 officers would be allocated to Phuket in the 2014 budget.
