Security and crime fighting centre to open next week
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A national centre to integrate internal security and crime-fighting involving various ministries and authorities will start next week to cope with clear and present threats, a Defence Ministry spokesman said yesterday.
Colonel Khongcheep Tantrawanich admitted that the move had stemmed partly from the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao off Surat Thani coast last Sunday.
The centre would pool personnel and equipment from various agencies under supervision of the Defence Ministry and directed by Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. It will operate around the clock and commence operating the next week, while undergoing evaluation every three months.
The centre’s crime-fighting functions will be performed by the Royal Thai Police, while social issues and humanitarian duties would be under the Damrongdharma Centres, overseen by the Interior Ministry.
Other key issues that the centre will deal with are immigration service and prevention of illegal entry, narcotics suppression, preserving public service duties through good governance at government agencies.
Surveillance cameras will be installed at 283 locations across the country in two months’ time, and later at several other sites, which would extensively cover tourist and business areas.
The spokesman said the centre was anticipating cooperation from the public in giving tip-offs for impending crimes and looking out for incidents.
