file photo

 

THAILAND - In an assertive move to ensure safety during the New Year 2026 celebrations, the Thai police have announced a nationwide enforcement campaign. Led by Police Chief General Kittirat Phanpetch, authorities aim to cover all safety aspects, including crime prevention, traffic management, and risk area control. This initiative seeks to protect citizens and tourists alike during the festive period.

 

The police are intensifying their efforts to combat crime, focusing on firearms, drugs, gambling, technology-related crimes, and unauthorised money lending. Between 17th and 25th December 2025, an all-out crackdown on these activities is set to take place. The police are increasing patrol frequency around transport hubs, tourist attractions, hotels, and significant venues to prevent illegal immigration, firearm smuggling, and drug trafficking.

 

The police have tasked themselves with maintaining heightened vigilance across the country to prevent disturbances. Critical areas will have increased patrols, and special units such as tactical teams and bomb disposal squads are on standby. Police hospitals and air support units are also ready for emergency medical evacuations.

 

Traffic safety is also a priority, with strict enforcement of laws such as driving under the influence, speeding, and helmet use. The campaign features an intensive traffic control period from 30th December 2025 to 5th January 2569, ensuring smooth travel and reduced road accidents. Police officers nationwide are instructed to prepare alternative routes and, if necessary, open special traffic lanes.

 

Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Yingyos Thepjumnong stated that safety is a gift for the people this New Year. Citizens are encouraged to follow safety regulations and report any suspicious activities via emergency hotlines available 24/7. With these comprehensive measures, the police strive to ensure a secure, peaceful festive season for all, reported Siam Rath.

 

Key Takeaways

• Nationwide safety measures are in place for New Year 2569.
• Emphasis on crime prevention and maintaining public order.
• Traffic management aimed at reducing holiday accidents.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-12-22

 

 

 

Every New Year same same old report.

 

We all take a break during the rest of the year.

And every year our local checkpoint (ironically sited in a blue tent outside a booze wholesaler - they have good WiFi) starts off manned by squads of smartly dressed diligent constabulary. By day three it is left to a couple of old boys from the village "home guard".

15 years driving around and crossing  Thailand, never have been stopped by police. Except the old crack down days, rarely I have seen a check point working..but some Speeding tickets with photos.

Crackdown 2025.... 

Just our curiosity, what do they do the rest of the year? Because I have never seen any type of active policing on the streets since the day I arrived here over 9 years ago. As far as I can tell they don't do anything all day, not a single thing, they gather a check and go home, that's about it.

21 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Just our curiosity, what do they do the rest of the year? Because I have never seen any type of active policing on the streets since the day I arrived here over 9 years ago. As far as I can tell they don't do anything all day, not a single thing, they gather a check and go home, that's about it.

They do go around various businesses and locations, and take photographs of themselves at those locations- presumably to act as "receipts" for those paying for some sort of "enhanced protection".

 

My local police station occasionally parade in three ranks, boots, trousers and white tee shirts and go for a "squadded run". The boss  (I think he is into fitness) is out the front , he wears his officers peaked cap with his PT kit! It entertains the schoolchildren no end, they all congregate at the school gate to watch them come past, urging them to greater effort!

On 12/22/2025 at 7:58 AM, webfact said:

the Thai police have announced a nationwide enforcement campaign

In my opinion, not for the betterment of the people, but for the enrichment of others. Just sayin. 🙂

On 12/22/2025 at 9:28 AM, anchadian said:

Every New Year same same old report.

 

We all take a break during the rest of the year.

 

The surprising thing is that the reported traffic fatalities are actually lower during those "deadly days". 

 

Which makes me wonder where they bought their calculators.

 

 

it was pretty funny the other day, i'm waiting to cross the road and almost get taken out by a young female running a red light, however, for once, a policeman had stationed himself on the other side of the junction for this very reason, it was beautiful to see her pulled over. we definitely need more of this

On 12/22/2025 at 7:58 AM, webfact said:

file photo

 

THAILAND - In an assertive move to ensure safety during the New Year 2026 celebrations, the Thai police have announced a nationwide enforcement campaign. Led by Police Chief General Kittirat Phanpetch, authorities aim to cover all safety aspects, including crime prevention, traffic management, and risk area control. This initiative seeks to protect citizens and tourists alike during the festive period.

 

The police are intensifying their efforts to combat crime, focusing on firearms, drugs, gambling, technology-related crimes, and unauthorised money lending. Between 17th and 25th December 2025, an all-out crackdown on these activities is set to take place. The police are increasing patrol frequency around transport hubs, tourist attractions, hotels, and significant venues to prevent illegal immigration, firearm smuggling, and drug trafficking.

 

The police have tasked themselves with maintaining heightened vigilance across the country to prevent disturbances. Critical areas will have increased patrols, and special units such as tactical teams and bomb disposal squads are on standby. Police hospitals and air support units are also ready for emergency medical evacuations.

 

Traffic safety is also a priority, with strict enforcement of laws such as driving under the influence, speeding, and helmet use. The campaign features an intensive traffic control period from 30th December 2025 to 5th January 2569, ensuring smooth travel and reduced road accidents. Police officers nationwide are instructed to prepare alternative routes and, if necessary, open special traffic lanes.

 

Assistant National Police Chief Lieutenant General Yingyos Thepjumnong stated that safety is a gift for the people this New Year. Citizens are encouraged to follow safety regulations and report any suspicious activities via emergency hotlines available 24/7. With these comprehensive measures, the police strive to ensure a secure, peaceful festive season for all, reported Siam Rath.

 

Key Takeaways

• Nationwide safety measures are in place for New Year 2569.
• Emphasis on crime prevention and maintaining public order.
• Traffic management aimed at reducing holiday accidents.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-12-22

 

 

 

 

 

"......tourist attractions, hotels, and significant venues....."

 

They do that all year round in Patong, Phuket as I have seen over the decades when a go there a few times a year, they are very vigilant in their duties, well they are when it come to farangs.

 

There is a small roundabout in Patong and they stop farangs who are not wearing helmets and also to check if they have a Thai or international licence.

 

But if you go over the mountain to Kathu, Kathu just fifteen minutes away where I live there are no checks, probably 50% of bikers do not wear helmets, if they were really interested in safety they could catch hundreds of helmet less Thais per hour.

 

But farangs do not vote in the local elections and so are 'ripe for harvesting' on a daily basis, Thais do vote and would not take kindly to being told what to do by the police. 

 

I have been waiting for two years for the local cops to pull me over in my car, I would first get my British licence out and see their faces light up as there would be cash to be had, and then watch their faces drop when I pull out my Thai driving licence. 😃

 

7 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

But farangs do not vote in the local elections and so are 'ripe for harvesting' on a daily basis, Thais do vote and would not take kindly to being told what to do by the police. 

Hmm. It is likely they stop farangs more often as better chance they have the money on them to pay, little to do with any voting. Where I’m from they predominantly go after Thais… I have been waved on more than I’ve stopped when they see I’m a farang. 

9 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

 

"......tourist attractions, hotels, and significant venues....."

 

They do that all year round in Patong, Phuket as I have seen over the decades when a go there a few times a year, they are very vigilant in their duties, well they are when it come to farangs.

 

There is a small roundabout in Patong and they stop farangs who are not wearing helmets and also to check if they have a Thai or international licence.

 

But if you go over the mountain to Kathu, Kathu just fifteen minutes away where I live there are no checks, probably 50% of bikers do not wear helmets, if they were really interested in safety they could catch hundreds of helmet less Thais per hour.

 

But farangs do not vote in the local elections and so are 'ripe for harvesting' on a daily basis, Thais do vote and would not take kindly to being told what to do by the police. 

 

I have been waiting for two years for the local cops to pull me over in my car, I would first get my British licence out and see their faces light up as there would be cash to be had, and then watch their faces drop when I pull out my Thai driving licence. 😃

 

Nothing wrong with stopping people not wearing a helmet, or checking for driving licenses. Happens in many countries. It's called a voluntary tax.