Tourist Police get mountain bikes

PHUKET: The island’s Tourist Police are now equipped with four mountain bikes, which they will use to patrol Patong beach. The bikes were donated to the Tourist Police last night by the Rotary Club of Patong, at the club’s regular weekly meeting. “As we enter the low season, many people are without jobs, so we have to step up our protection of tourists’ belongings,” said Pol Lt Col Supamit Sukjaroen, Inspector of Tourist Police. “We have received many reports from tourists that belongings left on the beach while they go swimming have been stolen, especially items such as Walkmans.” The mountain bikes will be brought into action on Friday. The pedaling officers will be on patrol daily from 10 am until 7 pm, when most tourists are out and about. “We have had police patrolling along the beach on foot. I think having the mountain bikes will be an improvement because we will be able to respond faster when a theft is discovered,” Col Supamit said.