ON SHOW PM SRETTHA PRAISES SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS AS VITAL FOR TOURISM
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin praised marine safety demonstrations held at Patong Beach last Friday (Dec 1), which were aimed at convincing tourists that Phuket is a safe destination for people to spend their holidays.
PM Srettha arrived in Patong at 1:45pm to witness three different “rescue” scenarios.
The first demonstration was of a lifeguard recovering a tourist drowning while caught in a rip current ‒ under the assumption that the tourist ignored red ‘no swimming’ flags and lifeguards’ warnings.
The second demonstration was of an air-sea rescue by a Royal Thai Navy helicopter in a simulation of a tour boat in distress with tourists left struggling in the water. Lifeguards and emergency responders also took part in recovering the “tourists” from the water and bringing them safely back to the beach to receive medical attention.
The third simulation was an armed police response team taking down an armed tourist posing a public danger on Bangla Rd after using a computerised face-detection system (which officials called ‘AI’) to identify the suspect.
Following the demonstrations, PM Srettha also visited the CCTV control room showing live feeds from along Bangla Rd.
PM Srettha praised the efforts of all those who took part in the safety demonstrations.
“The important thing is to build trust and confidence with travellers to feel that when you come on holiday you will be safe and comfortable,” he said.
“This will have a positive effect on the image of Thailand’s tourism, leading to an increase in the number of tourists coming to visit,” he added.
PM Sreetha gave words of encouragement for the “sacrifice and dedication of those who worked hard for the safety of life and property of tourists”.
“It raises the level of confidence and safety in life and property of citizens and tourists in deciding to travel in Thailand, and to Phuket, and is in accordance with government policy that aims to make the tourist city [Phuket] a safe city at the international level. This understanding in many countries will attract more money from tourism,” PM Srettha said.
PM Srettha noted that many...
...consuls and honorary consuls were present to witness the safety demonstrations, as were Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, and Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat along with many senior provincial officials.
“They [the consuls] are considered representatives of foreign tourists. It builds the confidence and trust of tourists that we are ready to provide the utmost safety and the best we can do,” PM Srettha said.
“And from now on, we will return to considering support in terms of materials and equipment, and CCTV cameras, because Phuket is one of the most important strategic provinces in Thailand in order to build trust among tourists,” he said.
PM Srettha noted that the CCTV system monitoring Bangla Rd can be integrated with law enforcement island-wide, making it a useful tool in apprehending suspects.
“Phuket is a province that continues to build confidence in safety. This [exercise] is an announcement of readiness in welcoming tourists, it is not just about a free visa policy alone,” he said.
“It aims to give maximum importance to the safety of tourists. It is considered to raise the level of being a safe city at the international level,” he said.