Phuket Marine Police volunteers’ numbers swell ahead of Songkran

PHUKET: The Phuket Marine Police have garnered 97 trained volunteers to bolster their ranks ahead of the Songkran Festival.

“Boat captains, crews and tour guides were called to join in safety-training seminars and volunteer to support the Marine Police, as they are the ones who have the best chance of rescuing people in the water,” Phuket Marine Police Superintendent Pumin Pumpunmuang told the Phuket Gazette today.

After four days of training courses, the Marine Police gained 97 new volunteers.

Before the call-out, the Marine Police only had 45 volunteers.

“I am impressed with how many volunteers have joined our ranks,” said Col Pumin.

Police are expecting the number of tourists on the island to swell around the Thai New Year, April 13.

“The more people on the island, the higher the likelihood of accidents and crime. We want to be fully prepared for the Songkran ‘Seven Days of Danger’, from April 11 to 17,” he said.

“As we gain more volunteers willing to report information, our work becomes more effective. The bigger the network, the faster the flow of accurate information.”

— Chutharat Plerin