Crime Thai Tourist Police use AI to Track Down Over 170 Suspects and Screen High-Risk Individuals

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Matichon

 

In a major security upgrade, Thailand's Tourist Police have successfully utilised artificial intelligence (AI) technology to apprehend over 170 wanted individuals and screen high-risk groups.

 

This initiative aligns with governmental efforts to bolster the tourism industry through enhanced safety measures.

 

On 15th May, Lieutenant General Saksira Phuakarm, Commander of the Tourist Police, detailed the operation under Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s policy to promote tourism and Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sarawong Thienthong’s focus on security within the sector.

 

National Police Chief, General Kittirath Phanphet, announced the establishment of the Tourist Safety Operation Center (TSOC) to ensure tourist safety. The collaboration led to a 12.58% decrease in criminal cases involving foreign tourists from January to April 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

 

The Tourist Police have integrated Social Listening technology to quickly respond to incidents reported on social media and dispel false information affecting the tourism image.

 

The application of AI further strengthens crime prevention and tourist protection efforts, with CCTV cameras employing AI for real-time monitoring and facial recognition against a central database of warrants. Since mid-July 2024, these measures have resulted in over 170 arrests.

 

In future plans, 10 operational vehicles equipped with AI cameras and SOS applications will be deployed at key tourist sites, offering immediate assistance and enhancing safety.

 

These vehicles will also serve as information points and reporting centres, aligning with the ongoing commitment to safe and sustainable tourism, under the motto "Your First Friend".

 

Additionally, from 15th to 22nd May, the Tourist Police will intensify crackdowns on unauthorised guides, low-quality tours, scams, and transnational crimes as part of the nationwide crime prevention strategy.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2025-05-15

 

 

[Joe32]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

In future plans, 10 operational vehicles equipped with AI cameras and SOS applications will be deployed at key tourist sites, offering immediate assistance and enhancing safety.

 

Does this make it look more or less safe though? If I were a tourist, I'd rather think, why are the police here? What happened? Is it so unsafe here? Not sure if it would do the trick....

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The Tourist Police have integrated Social Listening technology to quickly respond to incidents reported on social media and dispel false information affecting the tourism image.

 

Will this comment now be deleted?

[hotchilli]

Maybe they could tailor AI to cut down on all the street brawls and make the actual experience the same as the brochure declares.

[wombat]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

facial recognition

Hullo China....social credit coming next.

[factual monk]

Good idea... because when own intelligence is not working... use Artificial one... 

[niebla]

Why not take the CCTV data stored from cameras at every intersection and use AI to compile a list of dangerous drivers? It would seem that for every dangerous driver taken off the road the accident rate and death rate would improve immediately. People would start driving better knowing they were being watched. 

[thesetat]

21 hours ago, webfact said:

The Tourist Police have integrated Social Listening technology to quickly respond to incidents reported on social media and dispel false information affecting the tourism image.

In other words, the AI will monitor social media, find anything that speaks negative about Thailand and Thai tourism, and delete it or, issue statements about it being false. I am curious how the AI knows a negative story is false or have they just programmed it to rebuke and justify any negative comment made? 

[MalcolmB]

Smart people these Thais.

With internet speeds amongst the best in the world it allows this sort of thing to be used effectively.

I wish our UK police were as good.

[Briggsy]

All data shared with China, who provided the technology?

[wensiensheng]

“The Tourist Police have integrated Social Listening technology to quickly respond to incidents reported on social media and dispel false information affecting the tourism image.”

 

Why do I worry that they will spend more time latching onto stories so as to suppress them and avoid tarnishing Thailands reputation, rather than actually putting away bad guys

[wensiensheng]

42 minutes ago, niebla said:

Why not take the CCTV data stored from cameras at every intersection and use AI to compile a list of dangerous drivers? It would seem that for every dangerous driver taken off the road the accident rate and death rate would improve immediately. People would start driving better knowing they were being watched. 

Because a lot of the cameras don’t work do to poor to no maintenance?