PM says no to Chinese police patrolling in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday denied media reports that the government will allow Chinese police to patrol tourist cities in the kingdom to boost confidence among Chinese visitors.
“Please be fair to me. I never said I would bring Chinese police to Thailand,” Srettha told reporters after landing in San Fransico for the APEC Summit on Monday.
“Who would give such an order?”
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool proposed the move in a press interview on Sunday. Thai police representatives doubled down by saying Chinese police could work alongside Thai police to combat Chinese criminals preying on visitors from China.
However, Srettha insisted that Thai streets would only be patrolled by Thai police. He added that Thai authorities will instead share information with Chinese police to prevent crimes and strengthen visitors’ confidence.
Srettha said he had not discussed the possibility of Chinese police working in Thailand during his visit to Beijing last month.
Reports that the government was considering inviting Chinese police have been widely criticised, with netizens saying the move would breach the country’s sovereignty.
Srettha is in United States this week for the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Franciso, held from November 11-17.
