B20m CCTV system for Rawai

RAWAI: As part of a bid to crack down on crime in the area, Rawai Municipality has been granted 20 million baht in central government funding for the installation of 32 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos made the announcement at an August 15 ceremony held to announce a range of crime-fighting initiatives in Rawai.

Camera installation should begin in early 2009, with work scheduled for completion by the end of the year. An independent contractor is now being sought to install the cameras.

“We need to consider how this system will benefit Rawai after it has been installed. It won’t give us 100% protection against crime, but it will go some way to preventing robberies and muggings. It is certainly a lot better to have the cameras than to not have them. Tourists and residents will feel much safer with them installed,” he said.

Rawai, which falls under the responsibility of Chalong Police District, has been the site of numerous violent muggings in recent years, some conducted by armed youths against foreign tourists.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was Phuket Police Commander Maj Gen Apirak Hongthong and officers from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

Gen Apirak said that a special team of officers has been lined up to monitor Phuket’s motorcycle gangs and Internet shops frequented by suspected criminals.

Police will work with local government sectors to keep an eye on criminals in Rawai, he added.

The move comes as part of an overall goal to clean up the image of Rawai and the surrounding area in the eyes of tourists and residents alike.

According to statistics released by Phuket Provincial Police, crime in Rawai has been steadily declining in recent months.

“We want tourists and residents to feel safe in the upcoming high season,” added Gen Apirak.