Patong: Boosting tourist safety on Bangla Road with new STC project

Major General Saksira Phueakam, Commissioner of Tourist Police, recently embarked on a tour of the bustling Bangla Road in Patong, a hotspot for tourists, as part of a new initiative aimed at enhancing safety and security for visitors in the forthcoming high season.

This came on the heels of Maj. Gen. Saksira’s launch of the Strong Tourism Community (STC) project, a gathering of Tourist Police and officers from auxiliary law enforcement and tourist support agencies in Phuket Town.

The visit to Bangla Road signalled the initiation of multiple visits to ten select tourist attractions, as part of the STC project’s pilot phase, according to a report issued by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department.

The STC project’s launch aligns with the government’s urgent efforts to invigorate the tourism economy, Maj. Gen. Saksira stated. The Minister of Tourism and Sports has underscored the importance of building trust through ensuring the safety of tourists.

The STC project, therefore, focuses on safeguarding tourists by piloting the project in ten significant tourist spots across the country. Soi Bangla, Patong, Phuket, is one such location.

Maj. Gen. Saksira stressed the necessity for the STC project to bolster its capacity to ensure tourist safety in all aspects, including traffic safety, accident prevention, and protection against acts of violence. The goal is to consistently improve safety standards for tourists, fostering truly sustainable tourism.

The project’s initial phase calls for collaboration from local inhabitants, business owners, and partners from all sectors. Maj. Gen. Saksira revealed that a collective meeting has already taken place to generate ideas for maintaining tourist safety and promoting the tourism industry in Soi Bangla, Patong, a critical tourist destination with a considerable influx of tourists, reported Phuket News.

Maj. Gen. Saksira stressed the importance of training security personnel who possess the necessary skills to ensure tourist safety. They must be prepared to respond to incidents and provide effective preliminary assistance.

Such efforts will enhance the city’s reputation as a safe destination for international tourists, promoting sustainable tourism in the process.

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