Maritime safety highlighted

PHUKET TOWN: Although not citing any specific threat, Phuket Marine Police are implementing plans to work more closely with other agencies to gather and share intelligence. Deputy Commander of [the national] Marine Police, Pol Col Ularn Anekboon, said, “Phuket, like Koh Samui and Pattaya, has many marine tourist centers and we have to maintain security at all of them. “All organizations are working together to share information and there is no threat from seaborne terrorism.” Col Ularn made his comments at a December 26 conference at Phuket Marine Police Headquarters attended by around 20 businesspeople with maritime and tourism interests. He said that information-sharing and inter-agency cooperation were key components of security and general safety plans at any time of year, not just during major holidays. The Superintendent of Phuket Marine Police, Anant Houngsaitong, said “Phuket has a team of seven officers and speedboats – and 10 divers on standby – at major tourist locations every day.” He compared major emabarkation and debarkation points, such as Rassada Port and Patong Beach, to airports and said, “All aircraft passengers are screened and will have officers and speedboats standing by to do the same on water. Speaking more generally about safety issues, he warned that although it was the responsibility of boat and tour operators to make sure that their vessels were seaworthy, “It is our job to make sure that this is done.” Phuket Marine Police can be contacted on 1196, 076-214368 or 076-213210.