Phuket locals taught to fight crime for tourist safety project

PHUKET: About 150 employees in Patong, including rental car operators, motorbike taxi drivers and beach masseuses, attended a seminar this week designed to train them as active members of the Patong Safety Zone project, which has already been hailed as a success by police.

“The Patong Safety Zone project has been running for awhile, and we have already noticed a decrease in the crime statistics here,” said Pol Gen Chalermkiat Srivorakan.

The seminar taught locals how they can help police protect tourists, said Provincial Police Deputy Commander Peerayut Karajedee.

With over 2 trillion baht of income expected from the tourism industry in 2015, the importance of tourist confidence in their safety is vital, said Pol Gen Chalermkiat after the opening ceremony of the seminar, which ended on Friday.

“In three months, the project will be adopted by 353 police station across Thailand,” he announced.

“When all 353 stations as part of the project, I believe there will be a decrease in the number of tourists being scammed and assaulted. These results will help us regain the tourists’ confidence in their safety,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong