PM announces plan to link up all surveillance cameras

“On the border provinces, we can prevent the smuggling of contraband, drugs and illegal migrants,’’ she said yesterday.

She was inspecting the closed-circuit television system of the centre, which will integrate security networks across the country.

State agencies have their own cameras and some are installed in places already monitored by another agency, which is wasteful. If the agencies can share cameras, the country can save money and more cameras can be deployed to other critical or risky areas such as tourism-oriented cities and border provinces, including those in the deep South, said the PM, who is also defence minister.

The centre can tap the maps and information system of the National Police, so local and foreign tourists can feel safer, as the software can help analyse and prevent problems. 

Implementation has started and will be extended to more ministries, she said.

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he would meet with the Tourism Ministry and Airports of Thailand to cooperate on the project. 

“Once tourists touch down, they will be given high security. 

“For Thais, housing estates that are suffering from rampant burglaries can connect their monitoring system with that of police,’’ he said.

Yingluck also gave instructions for the centre to be used in the rice pledging scheme to catch corruption. 

“This can help clear claims that rice is being transferred during the pledging period,’’ he said.