Region 8 Police headquarters to open in Phuket Monday

PHUKET: Despite some protest, the Region 8 Police Headquarters will be partially operational in Phuket on Monday.

“There are several systems that need to be put in place, until they are up and running in Phuket, we will also be operating out of our Surat Thani office,” said Region 8 Police Commander Decha Budnampeth.

The move of the regional police headquarters to Phuket is due to the province’s ability to generate revenue via Thailand’s tourism industry.

“We have moved the station because we want to ensure the safety of all visitors and residents in Phuket, as the island generates more tourism-based income for Thailand than any other province,” said then-Region 8 Commander Yongyuth Charoenvanit in 2013.

The ground breaking ceremony for the facility, opposite the Tah Chat Chai checkpoint, occurred on July 18, 2013 (story here).

However, Suthep Thaugsuban, former leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), who has just left his monkhood in Surat Thani, issued a formal complaint on Tuesday with regard to the move.

“I have received several complaints from officials and families, and I agreed with them. Having the headquarters in Surat Thani is more reasonable, as it is comfortable for police officers from other stations to come and deal with official errands,” the letter of complaint read.

“Please immediately hold back the order to move to Phuket.”

Chatchalerm Chalermsuk, deputy secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), responded to Mr Suthep by making it clear that if he attempted to discuss politics, he would be banned from speaking to the press (story here).

— Chutharat Plerin