Police and volunteers join hands to prevent crime in Chatuchak market
A project for the prevention of crime was launched yesterday at Bangkok's famed Chatuchak Weekend Market under which police and volunteers would patrol the 68-rai market while some 70 CCTV cameras would be installed along with six security signal booths.
Metropolitan Police Area 2 chief Pol Maj-General Charoen Srisalak said the market attracted as many as 100,000 visitors – Thai and foreigners – per day hence the subsequent rise in crimes. Police have been trying to tackle the problems and volunteers were aiding in ways such as providing translation for victimised foreigners. This project was to help take care of public safety by having cameras and signal booths installed. It also would have uniformed and plainclothed police patrol the market while volunteers would also keep an eye on crimes, he added. This year, only 57 thefts took place in the market, compared to last year’s 155 cases, he added.
In related news, Chon Buri’s Pattaya Police on Friday night kicked off its new programme to provide a mobile unit to aid foreign tourists at the Pattaya Walking Street. Muang Pattaya Superintendent Pol Colonel Sukthat Pumpanmuang said the unit – operating from 8pm until midnight – would be manned by police and volunteers to record crime complaints and missing document cases as well as provide legal advice and dispute settling services. Interpreters of Russian, English, German and Chinese languages would also be on hand to aid affected tourists. The unit would shift once a week from one crowded spot to another, he added.
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