DJOP and AIS develop online 'visiting relatives' project

The project makes it convenient for families to keep contact with their children at the DJOP via smartphone.

The DJOP has already pioneered the project at two child and youth training centres in Chiang Mai and Ratchaburi provinces.

Speaking at the launch of the “Online Distance Visiting Relatives" project on Thursday, DJOP's Director-General Sahakarn Petchnarin explained: “A key factor in the treatment, improvement and rehabilitation of juveniles is the family institute. The DJOP has therefore created the Online Distance Visiting Relatives program for juveniles at its Child and Youth Training Centers. 

“The project allows them to meet in real time parents or relatives who live far away. In the past, the parents had to travel to the centres if they wanted to visit their children.” 

The Child and Youth Training Center, District 7, Chiang Mai is responsible for 7-8 provinces including Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phrae and Nan. 

The Child and Youth Training Centre, District 2, Ratchaburi, meanwhile, also covers many provinces. Each time parents visited their children at the centres, parents had to pay for travel, accommodation and food.

Currently if parents in Mae Hong Son want to visit their children at the centre in Chiang Mai, they just come to a computer room at the Mae Hong son centre and Skype the center in Chiang Mai, speaking to their children via an online conference system.

With the aim of making treatment and rehabilitation more effective while provide convenience to parents when visiting their children, the DJOP has partnered with AIS to deliver the Online Distance Visiting Relatives project. 

This system will enable the parents to visit their children through a wireless system. Parents can directly contact their children via smartphone anywhere and at any time.

In a later stage, this new system will be expanded to cover the Juvenile Observation and Protection Centres which observe juveniles during the legal process.

Saran Phaloprakarn, Head of Fixed Broadband at AIS, added: “We chose the best technologies to meet the needs of the DJOP which comprise high-speed internet broadband with a 100% pure fibre optic. It delivers a clear and stable image signal and Smart Messaging System, which connects Skype Solutions for business. Parents will receive notifications via an SMS to press Link. Then, they can talk to their children in form of a VDO call via smartphone. 

“The system can support a maximum of 5 visiting calls simultaneously from various locations,"

"The system and the set of advanced computers allow parents working in the provinces or overseas to get the service conveniently. 

“Since the introduction of the service at the two centres in Chiang Mai and Ratchaburi in February 2019, the parents or elderly relatives in remote areas and those working abroad have all been able to cheer up their children conveniently.”

Before using the system, parents have to register and get verification from the DJOP. They can then download the Skype for Business application via the iTunes or PlayStore.

Every time relatives wish to visit a youth, the parents have to make an appointment (day and time) with the DJOP.

When the parents get the LINK via SMS, they can press the LINK to enter the system in the form of a VDO call.