Phuket calls for more police to protect tourists
Police chiefs in Phuket have released details of the number of serious incidents involving expats and visitors to the Thai holiday island.
In giving details, Phuket police chief Maj-Gen Chote Chawanwiwat called for greater police numbers to combat crime.
“The (Thai) government has set a big target for the revenue it hopes to achieve from tourism on Phuket so, in the interests of protecting its investment, providing more police would be a wise decision,” Commander Chote said.
A botched bag snatch in Phuket last year led to the death of an Australian travel agent, who suffered fatal knife wounds. Her attackers were caught and jailed for life.
According to police figures, the Phuket crime sheet looks like this:
Expat Murders on Phuket
2010 three, 2011 two, 2012 two
Foreigners Arrested on Phuket 2012
Total 193: Mostly for drugs, drinking and fighting, drinking and driving.
Expat Victims of Crime on Phuket 2012
Rape two, violent crimes 13, attempted robbery 13, fraud 46
Expat Deaths on Phuket 2012
Total 81: Accidents 17. Drownings eight. Murder two. Suicide 11. Illness 23.
In the latest incident this week, a Singaporean tourist was the victim of two bag-snatchers on a motorcycle who rode straight on at speed and crashed into an oncoming car.
The two bag snatchers – one aged 16 and the other 15 – are under police guard in a Phuket City hospital.
TTR Daily said the daily reports on the Phuketwan news site suggest clearing the island of mafia-style crime “remains a challenge that will require a massive increase in crime busting by local police units”.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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