PHUKET: About 1,300 police officers battled it out with ‘protesters’ near Phuket International Airport this afternoon in a mock riot as part of a regional security drill.

The simulated riot was a scripted scenario in which a mob of about 400 protesters aimed to force the closure of Phuket’s airport, protesting against construction of a casino in Phuket.

The protesters assembled about three kilometers from the airport.

When they came to within 500 meters of the airport, the protesters were greeted by police officers armed with shields, water cannons and tear gas.

The police first attempted negotiating with the protesters and then employed escalation of force tactics, eventually dispersing the mob with the water canons and tear gas.

The police officers had been drafted in from Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani and Phang Nga provinces.

Special security advisor to the Royal Thai Police, General Wichian Pojphosri, hailed the drill a success but admitted that there was room for improvement.

“The situation looked very real. It was convincing and the officers performed satisfactorily. However, improvements need to be made in lines of communication,” he said.

The two hour drill ended at 4pm with 'some of the protesters arrested and three police officers injured'.

– Khunakorn Terdkiatkhachorn

-- Phuket Gazette 27/08/09

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An exercise to deal with mass mobs was held at Phuket Airport on Thursday.

The Police Department yesterday afternoon joined hands with the Phuket International Airport officials to conduct an exercise to handle mass protesters who supposedly aimed at an airport blockade. The exercise simulated a scenario of around 500 people staging protests against the government and heading for the airport to force its closure. Police then deployed around 800 officers to block them in front of Thalang Technical College on the road leading to the airport. The officers attempted to prevent them from getting near the airport. After the negotiation failed and officers were harmed by protesters, the forces supposedly decided to force the dispersal of the protesters successfully. The drill took 4 hours to complete.

Pol.General Wichien Pojbhosri, advisor on security to the Police Department, said the workshop and the comprehensive exercise aimed at having all personnel and related units work together to lay out action plans in handling any future crisis or emergency situations. They learnt and practiced on setting up and listening to crisis management command centres following international standards. It was also a good opportunity for all parties to work together. They included back up teams, emergency medical units and information for media. The meeting will be held today to evaluate and improve weaknesses if any.

Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30pm, 7pm, 1.30am & 6.30am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Friday 28th August 2009 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews