Anutin in Phuket: "It is safe to travel to Phuket. Do not allow bad people, who are a small minority, to spoil it."
During his visit to Bangla Rd in Patong on March 14, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul made his stance clear regarding the current enforcement against law-breaking foreigners in Phuket: "A handful of wrongdoers should not tarnish the overall image."
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul is known for his strong character. He is a strong supporter and greatly encourages Thailand's tourism businesses, which have reached amazing peaks during his tenure. However, he does not compromise on safety, law enforcement, and public order. He is not afraid of the mafia, and everything he does is to ensure that Thailand continues to be a very safe and very enjoyable country for the many tourists who visit it.
"Phuket remains a safe destination for travelers. It's crucial not to let a small number of wrongdoers detract from this. We urge everyone to uphold and rigorously enforce the laws to maintain societal harmony," Anutin emphasized.
"We refuse to let the actions of a few create a misleading narrative that Phuket is unsafe. On a personal note, I do not fear the mafia; my concern is with allowing them to operate unchecked," he further stated.
Concerning the situation and the ongoing inquiries related to Swiss expatriate Urs Fehr, Anutin remarked, "The incident involved the actions of a small number, but regardless of where such events occur, we will address them. As demonstrated recently, action was taken: the visa was revoked. An appeal was made to the Ministry of Interior, but appealing is futile and a waste of time; it's better to just leave.
"Should there be another case where foreigners are involved in an incident, both the Governor of Phuket and the Phuket Provincial Police Commander will assuredly intervene," he further added.
"Thailand is capable of accommodating and hosting tourists from across the globe, contributing significantly to the income of the Thai population. It is the responsibility of the authorities, in collaboration with all sectors, to ensure tourists feel secure and protected from exploitation, with the Thai community serving as gracious hosts," he concluded.
The bustling nightlife street is currently monitored by 26 CCTV cameras, ensuring coverage of the entire area. The Deputy Prime Minister was informed of Patong Municipality's plans to expand the CCTV network to further improve safety for tourists.
Following the meeting, Anutin visited Bangla Rd to interact with tourists, local authorities, and proprietors of pubs, bars, and other nightlife establishments.
Accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister during the briefing and the walkabout of Bangla were Orasit Samphantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA); Chaiwat Chuenkosoom, Director-General of the Community Development Department; and Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum also joined the tour.
Also participating in the tour were Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, personnel from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Special Operations, members of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Special Operations Team, the Patong Police Special Operations Unit, as well as officers from the Phuket Provincial Police, Patong Police, and the Phuket Tourist Police.
"Phuket remains a safe destination for travelers. It's crucial not to let a small number of wrongdoers detract from this. We urge everyone to uphold and rigorously enforce the laws to maintain societal harmony," Anutin emphasized.
"We refuse to let the actions of a few create a misleading narrative that Phuket is unsafe. On a personal note, I do not fear the mafia; my concern is with allowing them to operate unchecked," he further stated.
Concerning the situation and the ongoing inquiries related to Swiss expatriate Urs Fehr, Anutin remarked, "The incident involved the actions of a small number, but regardless of where such events occur, we will address them. As demonstrated recently, action was taken: the visa was revoked. An appeal was made to the Ministry of Interior, but appealing is futile and a waste of time; it's better to just leave.
"Should there be another case where foreigners are involved in an incident, both the Governor of Phuket and the Phuket Provincial Police Commander will assuredly intervene," he further added.
"Thailand is capable of accommodating and hosting tourists from across the globe, contributing significantly to the income of the Thai population. It is the responsibility of the authorities, in collaboration with all sectors, to ensure tourists feel secure and protected from exploitation, with the Thai community serving as gracious hosts," he concluded.
The bustling nightlife street is currently monitored by 26 CCTV cameras, ensuring coverage of the entire area. The Deputy Prime Minister was informed of Patong Municipality's plans to expand the CCTV network to further improve safety for tourists.
Following the meeting, Anutin visited Bangla Rd to interact with tourists, local authorities, and proprietors of pubs, bars, and other nightlife establishments.
Accompanying the Deputy Prime Minister during the briefing and the walkabout of Bangla were Orasit Samphantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA); Chaiwat Chuenkosoom, Director-General of the Community Development Department; and Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat.
Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum also joined the tour.
Also participating in the tour were Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, personnel from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) Special Operations, members of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Special Operations Team, the Patong Police Special Operations Unit, as well as officers from the Phuket Provincial Police, Patong Police, and the Phuket Tourist Police.
