Phuket doubles down on Tah Chat Chai checkpoint security

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Phuket doubles down on Tah Chat Chai checkpoint security
Phuket Gazette


The number of police officers manning the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint has doubled. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- The number of police manning the land-security gateway to Phuket, Tah Chat Chai checkpoint, has been doubled in order to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during Phuket’s high season.

The number of Tah Chat Chai Police officers has jumped from 10 officers checking a total of five cars an hour to 20 officers checking a total of ten cars an hour.

Of the 20 police officers, 12 are stationed to randomly check island-bound vehicles and eight have orders to check vehicles departing the island.

“Also we have six officers from the Mai Khao Local Administrative Office [OrBorTor] and we another six officers from the Phuket Public Health Office helping us,” said Tah Chat Chai Police Superintendent Nathapakin Kwanchaipruek.

The heightened security at Tah Chat Chai checkpoint, as well as that at Phuket International Airport, is part of annual measures taken to ensure the safety of tourists during the high season, and not a direct response to the car bomb found in Phuket Town earlier this month (story here), confirmed Tah Chat Chai Police.

“We are concerned about the bomb that was found in Phuket. However, the heightened security measures are part of our high season crackdown to promote a crime-free island for tourists,” said Col Nathapakin.

“We want to prevent all forms of crime on the island,” he added.

As part of the boosted security measures, the top cop for the region inspected the island.

“We are responsible for seven southern provinces. All of these provinces have many tourist destinations, so the safety of our tourists is of top concern,” Police Region 8 Commander Panya Mamen said.

The Tah Chat Chai checkpoint and Phuket Airport are the arrival gates for many of the people flooding onto the island for New Year festivities, Lt Gen Panya said.

“It is possible for criminals to use those points to enter and leave Phuket,” Lt Gen Panya said.

Since Christmas Day, 58 illegal taxi drivers and two drunk drivers have been arrested at the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint. Additionally, 75 traffic offenders have been ticketed by the officers there, Lt Gen Panya said.

Tah Chat Chai Police, police volunteers and local administrative officers are working together to boost the security at the checkpoint, said Col Nathapakin.

“To ensure security at Phuket airport, we have officers from Phuket Provincial Police, Phuket Immigration, Phuket Tourist Police and Phuket airport security guards working together,” Lt Gen Panya said.

“If there are any reports of taxi drivers threatening tourists, we will prosecute the driver,” Lt Gen Panya added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-doubles-down-on-Tah-Chat-Chai-checkpoint-security-23139.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-12-31

[JetsetBkk]

"However, the heightened security measures are part of our high season crackdown to promote a crime-free island for tourists," said Col Nathapakin.

I think the criminals already live here.

[LivinginKata]

“If there are any reports of taxi drivers threatening tourists, we will prosecute the driver,” Lt Gen Panya added.

Yes, right ... anyone actually belief this BS

[Rooo]

Every time I drive through there, they are either sleeping or eating.

[Somtamnication]

Always drive right through.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Somtamnication

[LivinginKata]

Never been stopped. It more about taking a video of the number plate.

[Paangjang]

Every time I drive through there, they are either sleeping or eating.

Last year i saw a couple drinking beer (in uniform) in the early hours. Wanted to take a picture but then thought better of it...

[simon43]

So it takes 10 officers 60 minutes to check 5 cars? So that is ... er ... 2 man hours per car!!!!

Thailand - hub of efficiency

[Paangjang]

So it takes 10 officers 60 minutes to check 5 cars? So that is ... er ... 2 man hours per car!!!!

Thailand - hub of efficiency

Why can't they do the same as the US/Mexico border at El Paso? Face check every car and search suspect cars/ occupants of interest. No time, eating, drinking beer, sleeping?

[Ulic]

Well at least they are appearing to be trying harder to catch the bad guys.

[ajarnmarc]

Every time I drive through there, they are either sleeping or eating.

You're a lucky driver.

When I travel through, they wave me over,

and ask to see my passport.

Then I have to step out of the vehicle,

and open the trunk.

I'm thinking it's about time I upgraded my car,

to a truck; saving me from having to get out each time. Lol

The point is, they do get on their feet,

but they also like their breaks too,

and haven't figured out how to take them while leaving someone at the post.

All in good time...I'm sure.

[squarethecircle]

"As part of the boosted security measures, the top cop for the region inspected the island."

Beautiful, now we can all rest safe. Actually most of the Thai authorities I have met have been professional and helpful, but this sounds like clown work...especially because the higher level ones didn't rise through the ranks, generally, but are like political talking heads.

[Peterphuket]

So it takes 10 officers 60 minutes to check 5 cars? So that is ... er ... 2 man hours per car!!!!

Thailand - hub of efficiency

Why can't they do the same as the US/Mexico border at El Paso? Face check every car and search suspect cars/ occupants of interest. No time, eating, drinking beer, sleeping?

Excuse me? You like Mexico/Us border to compare with a checkpoint at a local province in Thailand?

[Peterphuket]

But indeed the criminals are already in Phuket, it is only to collect money from tourist and regular citizens...

[Paangjang]

So it takes 10 officers 60 minutes to check 5 cars? So that is ... er ... 2 man hours per car!!!!

Thailand - hub of efficiency

Why can't they do the same as the US/Mexico border at El Paso? Face check every car and search suspect cars/ occupants of interest. No time, eating, drinking beer, sleeping?

Excuse me? You like Mexico/Us border to compare with a checkpoint at a local province in Thailand?

Not atall, but you get my point right? It could be done if they wanted to.