Thailand's Tourist Police are being equipped with TASERs, AI-enabled mobile command vehicles and drone patrol units under a nationwide security upgrade aimed at improving visitor safety.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has ordered a wider effort to raise safety standards and strengthen confidence in Thai tourism, combining technology, updated equipment, staff training and cooperation between authorities, businesses and local networks.

The policy is being implemented by Tourist Police Bureau commissioner Lieutenant General Saksira Phueak-um, who said the force is developing its personnel, technology and equipment to respond quickly across major tourism areas nationwide.

Phuket meeting follows TASER course

On 12 September 2026, at 10am, Lt Gen Saksira chaired the closing ceremony for the 21st Tourist Police TASER training course at the Seabed Grand Hotel Phuket.

The training is part of a national programme that will train 1,250 Tourist Police officers in the use of electric shock weapons. A total of 450 TASER devices are to be provided, giving officers another option for controlling incidents while taking account of the safety of tourists, members of the public and police.

During the Phuket visit, officials also met tourism-sector representatives to hear concerns and proposals on local conditions. Those attending included Thanoosak Phuengdet, chairman of the Andaman Southern Provinces Chamber of Commerce group; Phumikitti Ruktaengam, chairman of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation; Sarayut Mallam, president of the Phuket Tourism Business Association; and Kongsak Kupongkorn, chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.

The discussions focused on combining safety measures and visitor assistance in a way suited to Phuket, one of Thailand's principal tourist destinations.

AI command vehicles and drone patrols

The Tourist Police Bureau said it is adding 11 Mobile CCOC vehicles and four Mobile CCOC microbuses fitted with AI camera systems. The systems can identify faces and follow individuals subject to arrest warrants.

The force will also receive 32 Smart Check Point sets, 32 drone patrol vehicles and 128 drones. The drones are equipped with thermal cameras for patrols, observation and aerial searches during both daytime and night-time operations.

Tourist Police patrol teams are also being issued Smart Patrol kits, including reflective protective vests, translation devices, digital radios and body-worn cameras. These are intended to improve communication and the ability of officers to assist visitors in the field.

The bureau said its work with local agencies and tourism industry was part of the ministry's broader plan for a more systematic safety network, intended to reduce risks, prevent incidents and improve response arrangements for both Thai and overseas tourists.

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

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14 September 2026

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I doubt I’ll ever see an Asian person lying on the street, convulsing and thrashing around. It’ll probably be some big farang completely out of control and acting crazy, or someone who spends all day smoking weed.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Jone500

I wonder how many of them try it on themselves to see if it works.

3 hours ago, Bannoi said:

I wonder how many of them try it on themselves to see if it works.

Gotta be better than using the old "pitch fork" device used in the past.