Pattaya police stage fake brawls as part of training drill

Police and rescue workers in Pattaya have carried out a training exercise that involved simulating fake brawls in a nightclub and a hospital. Officers were taking part in a drill to prepare them for such incidents, with an increase in domestic tourists expected in the coming high season months.

Pattaya has a number of large events coming up, including a music festival, food festivals, and the New Year’s Eve countdown. Officials are expecting the events to attract a large number of young Thais, many of whom, statistically, drink a lot of alcohol and could become involved in fights, according to Police. Police say they want to be prepared for incidents such as the violence that broke out between rival gang members in 2 Bangkok hospitals last July.

The drill took place at Pattaya’s Yes nightclub, with staff also volunteering to take part, in order to train their own security staff. The Pattaya News reports that police and medical workers responding to the incident were not given any advance notice of the staged brawl, only that it was a training exercise and they would be graded on their performance.

From the pretend brawl at the nightclub, a number of actors were “injured”, and taken to Pattaya hospital in an ambulance that had a police escort. There, medical staff participating in the exercise rehearsed ways they would control the situation, including locking down the emergency room and having police stationed outside.

Nitat Waenpradab from the Pattaya Police says all participants excelled in the drill and the planned response for incidents such as violent brawls will be reviewed in the coming weeks in advance of major events planned for the city.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News