Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

The national police leadership has inspected and encouraged elite special operations teams as they prepare to compete on the global stage at the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026 in Dubai. The visit underscored Thailand’s continued commitment to international tactical standards and public confidence in police crisis response capabilities.

On 26 January 2026 at 2.30pm, Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, assigned Pol Gen Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner-General for Security Affairs, to lead the visit. He was accompanied by Pol Maj Gen Phithak Uthaitham, Deputy Commissioner attached to the Commissioner-General’s Office, and a delegation to the Naresuan Camp in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi province.

The inspection took place at the Air Support Division of the Border Patrol Police, where teams were conducting intensive training. They were welcomed by Pol Maj Gen Sawat Phichitphai, Commander of the Air Support Division, Pol Maj Gen Narin Khamkaen, Commander of the Training Division of the Border Patrol Police, and senior officers.

The Royal Thai Police will send multiple special operations units to the UAE SWAT Challenge 2026, scheduled from 7–11 February 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The delegation includes two male police teams, one female police team and a group of instructors representing the Office of the Royal Thai Police.

Participating units comprise the Special Operations Division of the Central Investigation Bureau, Provincial Police Regions 2, 4, 8 and 9, Arintharat 26, and Naresuan 261 Special Operations Unit. During the visit, Pol Gen Samran presented morale-boosting items to the teams and instructors as a sign of support.

Pol Gen Samran said the primary objective of competing at a world-class tactical event is to build public pride and confidence in the capabilities of Thailand’s special operations police. He stated that the teams are expected to demonstrate their ability to respond effectively to crisis situations, with public safety as the core priority.

Thai police performances in 2024–2025 have received international recognition, with teams consistently ranking in the world’s Top 5. The Thai female police team has been recognised as the strongest women’s team in the competition, reflecting high standards of training, professionalism and operational discipline.

Participation in the 2026 competition is also intended as a platform for exchanging tactical knowledge, gaining experience from realistic simulated scenarios, and further enhancing Thailand’s policing capabilities on the global security stage. Officials noted that the event supports long-term development beyond competitive results.

Thaitabloid reported that as the competition approaches, the Royal Thai Police have encouraged the public to follow the event in real time and send their support to the teams representing Thailand. Final preparations will continue until the teams depart for Dubai in early February.

Key Takeaways

• Senior police leaders inspected and encouraged Thai special forces on 26 January 2026 ahead of the UAE SWAT Challenge.

• Thailand will send multiple elite units, including two male teams and one female team, to compete from 7–11 February 2026.

• Thai police teams have ranked in the world’s Top 5 in recent years, with strong international recognition.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siamnews 2026-01-29

 

 

So all you international hard core criminal gangs mark your calendar, because while they are off playing in UAE they won't be available to smack you down.

That's an awful lot of cops to send at taxpayer expense. At least they won't be running a bar tab.

They'd be better learning in a real-world situation, Minneapolis, maybe?

More violence means less de-escalation.

Are these the men/women who should be the normal working police?? as the local police is not doing much except checking tax payments and playing on mobiles...Call them and they will not come to solve the problem, wild fires, too loud music/noise , wrong parkings etc etc