Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

The National Police Commissioner-General Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet has officially launched the “MPB BASIC SWAT 2025” tactical training programme aimed at equipping Metropolitan Police officers with advanced operational skills to respond swiftly to high-risk incidents.

 

The opening ceremony, held at 10:30 on 4 August and was attended by senior police officials including Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), and several deputy commissioners and commanders from Bangkok’s precincts.

 

The training programme, part of the 2025 fiscal year initiative, focuses on strengthening tactical capabilities at the police station level. Running from 4 August to 5 September, it comprises five training batches, each lasting five days, with a total of 511 officers participating.

 

Initially, 115 officers from MPB Divisions 1 and 2 are undergoing intensive training to develop special operations teams within local police stations. These teams will serve as first responders in critical situations, bridging the gap before elite national-level SWAT units can be deployed.

 

Pol. Gen. Kittirat stressed the importance of the programme, highlighting recent incidents involving weapon snatching and injuries to officers. He emphasised the need for local officers to be both prepared and capable of acting as tactical units when responding to violent or unpredictable events.

 

“The goal is to create familiarity, teamwork, and readiness within each local station,” said Kittirat. “In case of emergencies, neighbouring precincts must be ready to assist. This training is not just about drills, it’s about saving lives.”

 

Officers are being trained in weapons handling, tactical movement, situational awareness and real-time response under pressure. After completing the course, promising candidates will be considered for the role of reserve special operations units, capable of immediate deployment in the field.

 

Each police station will send five officers to participate. These personnel must be fully committed, and trainers are expected to deliver instruction that matches national-level tactical standards. The Commissioner urged trainees to take the course seriously, stating: “You’ve been selected, now prove you’re capable.”

 

Upon completion, participants will demonstrate their skills in realistic simulation exercises at high-risk venues such as shopping centres and convenience stores. The simulations will be reviewed by senior police leadership to ensure that the training translates into effective real-world application.

 

Pol. Gen. Kittirat also reaffirmed the national police’s continued focus on combating drug-related crime and border security, particularly in response to potential fallout from regional conflicts.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Charin Kopattata, Deputy Commissioner of MPB, added that the increasing frequency of incidents involving armed and mentally unstable individuals necessitated the formation of station-level tactical response teams. The new programme, he said, aims to boost confidence in the police, enhance public trust, and reduce loss of life through effective, modern, and measured tactical responses.

 

The initiative reflects an evolving approach within the Royal Thai Police, emphasising decentralised readiness, precision and professionalism in confronting threats.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-08-07

 

 

 

Looks more like an army than a policeforce....Maybe they should not need training but starting to work first.