Safety Measures for Tourists

Safety measures for tourists is yet another crucial component in the development of the tourism industry as any place or country that cannot guarantee the safety of a tourist's life or property will obviously be less attractive as a tourist destination.

TAT has set the following policy in its development of safety measures for tourists : "an increased level of safety for tourists both Thai and foreign so as to assure safety of life and property in the traveling of groups and individuals to various destinations in Thailand." This policy has existed alongside tourism promotion campaigns dating back to the establishment of the Facilitation and Security Center (FASC) for the first time, in 1976, as a center to coordinate operations in terms of facilitating and providing safety to the tourists between the Tourist Organization of Thailand (TOT), at the time, and the Royal Thai Police Department.

However, with the rapod expansion of the tourist industry to regional areas such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai/Songkhla and Phuket, with growing numbers of tourists, problems began to escalate so that the government had to assign responsibility in providing safety protection to tourists nationwide to the Police Department and the Ministry of Interior.

In 1980, the Royal Thai Police Department deemed it essential to upgrade the status of the FASC to the Ad Hoc Police for Tourism with staff from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) serving as interpreters and coordinators for this Ad Hoc Police Tourism force using the TAT main office on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue as its head quarters. The operations gradually expanded to other tourist cities such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hat Yai/Songkhla respectively. That same year, TAT also coordinated with the administration division of the Ad Hoc Police for Tourism to set up the Tourist Assistance center at TAT's main office as well.

The tourist industry in Thailand continued to grow and its significance increased when it generated the highest income for the nation for several consecutive years. As a result problems relating to incidents dealing with tourist also escalated since foreign tourist were handicapped by language skills and a lack of understanding of legal matters and local cultures. Sightseeing in Thailand also expanded in scope from principal cities to smaller towns and villages that were more diverse in nature. TAT and the Ad Hoc Police for Tourism thus devised schemes to provide protection and sole the problems of safety more actively.

In 1982, the Ad Hoc Police for Tourism underwent major reorganization procedures and defined its scope of responsibilities more clearly when, according to a cabinet resolution, the Tourist Police Force was set up at the level of the eighth sub-division. The Tourist Police Force continued its operations until it was elevated to the status of Tourist Police Division on November 26, 1991. Its main responsibilities involve the prevention and suppression of crime and investigation of cases dealing with tourists both Thai and foreign as well as collaborating with and supporting other related or assigned agencies so as to promote the tourism industry in Thailand.

Financed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tourist Police Division operates in the same directions with a task force of over 800 policemen throughout the country cooperating with another 80 or so tourist operators who are private personnel assisting in clerical duties, providing information and interpretation services 24 hours a day.

The Tourist Police Division is situated at its temporary headquarters at Unico House Building, Soi Langsuan, Lumpini, Patumwan District, Bangkok 10330, hotline telephone number 1699. The first and second division which oversee operations in Bangkok and the vicinity both operate from this office.

The third division which is responsible for area covering the entire kingdom is separated into the following districts of operations :

- Section 1 - Responsible for general clerical work
- Section 2 - Responsible for the provinces of Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Patum Thani, Nontahaburi, Ang Thong, Chai Nat and Saraburi.
- Section 3 - Responsible for the provinces of Chon Buri, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok and Trat.
- Section 4 - Responsible for the provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Samut Songkhram, Petchaburi and Ratchaburi.
- Sections 5 - Responsible for the provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket.
- Section 6 - Responsible for the provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin and Roi Et.
- Section 7 - Responsible for the provinces of Khon Kaen, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Mukdahan and Sakon Nakhon.
- Section 8 - Responsible for the provinces of Chiang Mai, Lampang and Lamphun.
- Section 9 - Responsible for the provinces of Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao and Phrae.
- Section 10 - Responsible for the province of Mae Hong Son.
- Section 11 - Responsible for the provinces of Phitsanulok. Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Phichit and Uttaradit.
- Section 12 - Responsible for the provinces of Nakhon Sawan, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet and Uthai Thani.
- Section 13 - Responsible for the provinces of Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Chumphon.
- Section 14 - Responsible for the provinces of Phuket, Ranong, Phangnga, Trand and Krabi.
- Section 15 - Responsible for the provinces of Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Satun and Narathiwat.

Apart from coordinating with TAT, the Tourist Police Division's general operations are all closely concerned with the affairs of tourists be it offering basic tourist information, arranging police escorts for tour buses and accepting reports of incidents dealing with tourists, from cases of thefts and injuries to cases of fraud or over-priced sales of jewelry items, art work and antiques, foods and beverages. It also accepts complaints on accommodation rates, sightseeing fees, etc., in order to coordinated with the appropriate agencies on a case to case basis.

In terms of providing conveniences and safety to the tourists, the division offers what is called a one stop service as well. It also has a surveillance unit which comprises surveillance on foot, motor cycles and motor cars covering tourist areas and provides a mobile unit serving important sightseeing areas regularly at least twice every week. Tourists can easily identify "tourist police" from the TAT seal encased by the arms of the police force accompanied by the words "TOURIST POLICE" in English which appear on every uniform, vehicle and tourist police agency.

Despite the fact that there are now tourist police to directly oversee the safety of the tourists, TAT which is the main agency responsible for promoting and developing the tourist industry still established a Tourist Assistance Center, in 1980, to facilitate, provide information and coordinate in solving the problems and complaints of tourists at a basic level. If charges are filed they will then be referred to the Tourist Police or the local police for appropriate legal action. The Division of Tourism Development which is part of the TAT's Planning and Development Section is also responsible for controlling the standards of services offered by tourism operators as well.