Green boxes tackle Bangkok crime

BANGKOK, Aug 24 - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Friday launched its ‘Green Box’ scheme in an attempt to fight the increasing crime levels in the city of angels.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the objective of the so-called “Crime Alert Green Box” project is to establish another channel for Bangkokians to alert BMA authorities when they need help or in case of crime.

The 24-hour operated green box is equipped with a camera and a tape recorder. Anyone lodging a complaint through the green box will have his photo taken by the camera and his conversation with city officials recorded.

A request for help to an alert centre will be immediately forwarded to city motorcycle patrolmen. In the initial stage, 110 GPS-installed motorcycles will be deployed in the capital.

As a pilot project, 122 spots in 22 districts in inner Bangkok will have green boxes installed, each district with 5-6 boxes.

Police have already had a similar service, known as the Red Box, in major cities throughout the country including Bangkok.

The BMA green boxes will not duplicate the red box, but rather enhance anti-crime services to Bangkokians. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-24

Will they have a slot for 'tea money'?

This sounds like it could be a good idea - innovative concept.

Maybe have the police actually go on patrols around to try and catch criminals instead of being lazy and just stopping scooters for tea money?

I thought almost every bangkokian over the age of seven had a mobile phone (cell fone for those who speak american) and could call the police or emergency services at anytime they saw a crime being committed or were,themselves, a victim of crime. Will these green boxes make mobile phones redundant ? or just a complimentry aid to mobile phones when you have no 7/11 to pop into for a top up because "no money left on the phone".and you need help.

I thought almost every bangkokian over the age of seven had a mobile phone (cell fone for those who speak american) and could call the police or emergency services at anytime they saw a crime being committed or were,themselves, a victim of crime. Will these green boxes make mobile phones redundant ? or just a complimentry aid to mobile phones when you have no 7/11 to pop into for a top up because "no money left on the phone".and you need help.

Or maybe you've just been mugged for your mobile phone

I thought almost every bangkokian over the age of seven had a mobile phone (cell fone for those who speak american) and could call the police or emergency services at anytime they saw a crime being committed or were,themselves, a victim of crime. Will these green boxes make mobile phones redundant ? or just a complimentry aid to mobile phones when you have no 7/11 to pop into for a top up because "no money left on the phone".and you need help.

Or maybe you've just been mugged for your mobile phone

Yes , quite right .

So BMA is in charge of policing the city now?

As many will not want to be 'filmed' I think this may be a slow starter. But anonymity would lead to a bucket of hoax calls so who knows? Wait and see.

Another wonderful idea from the BMA simular to the press a button - call a taxi box installed in the middle of sidewalks all over Bangkok ,