BANGKOK, Thailand – The tourist police’s digital system has already helped nab 914 suspects, authorities say, while the 1155 hotline goes fully digital around the clock.
New camera systems can recognise faces and read vehicle licence plates. The data is cross-checked against relevant databases.
If the system finds a person or vehicle matching set criteria, officers get an alert. They can then verify the hit.
Helpline 1155 goes digital
Tourist Police Commissioner Police Lieutenant General Saksira Pueak-am said on August 6 that the 1155 service has been upgraded to a fully digital platform.
The hotline is available 24 hours a day and offers support in eight foreign languages. The tourist police app has also been expanded.
Tourists can send location and photos
Through the app, travellers can request help and send their location directly to officers. They can also send messages, photos, and other details.
With these changes, the tourist police aims to shift from simply reacting to incidents toward more active surveillance and crime prevention in tourist areas.
Mobile command centres for high-risk zones
The tourist police office has developed mobile vehicles called CCOC Mobile. They can be used as mobile command centres in tourist areas, at large events, and in high-risk locations.
Each vehicle has four surveillance cameras: one for the front, one for the rear, and two mobile cameras for extra monitoring where needed.
Drones search for missing people
For rapid response, the tourist police is developing units with four drones. The devices can patrol automatically and monitor day and night using thermal imaging cameras.
They will help search for missing people, check potentially dangerous areas, and support operations involving tourists. The command centre will combine data from various systems so officers can respond faster and make better-informed decisions.
The tourist police is the first friend of tourists and plays an important role in building trust in Thailand.
said Saksira Pueak-am, Tourist Police Commissioner.