Police chief briefed on tourism-related crimes in Phuket
Play
National Police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew was in Phuket yesterday, for a meeting on the security issues for tourists.
He was briefed by local police of the crimes committed against tourists in the key tourist destination which annually welcome about 10 million. Crimes range from assaults to drug trafficking. During January-July 2013, a number of 2,088 foreigners faced drug charges, up by 335 in the same period a year earlier.
One prominent problem concerns the few number of tour guides. Tourists also complain about extortion from jet ski and public transport operators, for example.
The police chief said that it needs a collection of tools to deal with tourism-related problems, to assure tourists of safety. All parties will need to take part in the effort, with help from the Bangkok authorities.
