Beach bag theft spurs Kamala CCTV splurge
Kamala Police and local officials are looking to expand CCTV coverage along the Kamala Beach area in the hope of preventing thefts and other incidents affecting tourists at the beach.
The announcement followed Phuket officials announcing on Mar 21 that a former FBI agent from Kazakhstan had praised Kamala Police for recovering and returning his daughter’s shoulder bag and iPhone 15 Pro within 24 hours of the items being stolen at Kamala Beach.
Kazakh tourist Ms Aizhan Zhassanova came to Phuket on holiday with her family and stayed in the Kamala area, said an official report of the incident.
She filed a report with the police, with Kamala Police Chief Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang taking the lead on the case.
Police checked CCTV in the area and were able to track down and arrest the thief on Mar 18, within 24 hours after being informed of the incident, said the report.
Ms Zhassanova and both her parents came to Kamala Police Station in Mar 21 to thank police and have Ms Zhassanova’s belongings returned.
The father, unnamed in the official report, was described as a former FBI agent from Kazakhstan.
The father thanked Kamala Police for their efforts, with special thanks to Pol Col Somsak for his involvement.
The father said that it was his and his family’s first visit to Phuket, and he was “very impressed” with the work by Kamala Police. He said he would share the good news with fellow Kazakhstan nationals.
Pol Col Somsak praised the CCTV cameras in the are for the ability to track down and arrest the thief.
A formal request had been submitted to have 40 additonal CCTV cameras installed throughout the entire Kamala area to increase coverage in order to help police carry out their duties, Pol Col Somsak said.
Hotels and other businesses have also been asked to join the local CCTV network in the name of increased security for tourists, he added.
“This will increase confidence among tourists in the area and deter any further incidents in the area,” he said.