Two new Phuket police stations ready in December

PHUKET: Two new “temporary” Phuket police stations will open by December, ahead of permanent police stations that are slated for completion late next year.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Choti Chavaviwat on Tuesday inspected the construction site of the new Wichit police station in Soi Na Sua on Chao Fa West Road.

“On December 6, the two new police stations at Wichit and Karon will be ready to serve the people of Phuket,” said Maj Gen Choti.

“We believe that the addition of these two new police stations will strengthen our working potential and help extend our services to better serve people on the island,” he added.

However, the general pointed out that the newly constructed buildings are only a temporary measure until more permanent structures are erected next year.

Despite the development of new police precincts, for the time being there will be little extra manpower to serve the new areas of responsibility.

“Previously, we had planned to station about 160 officers at each of the new locations. However, a lack of police officers has meant we can deploy only 60 to each of the two stations,” explained Gen Choti.

“Although there won’t be as many officers as we would like at the two new stations, every officer will work their best to keep the area peaceful” he added.

The new precincts will also come under the responsibility of existing commanders until new superintendents are appointed.

“Lt Col Somkit Boonyarat, Deputy Superintendent of Tung Thong police station will be responsible for Wichit police station and Lt Col Thanet Poungmanee, Deputy Superintendent of Tah Chai Chai police station will be responsible for Karon police station,” Gen Choti said.

“They will both be in command until the two nominated superintendents arrive,” he explained.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong