The visit saw senior officers from the Tourist Police Division 2, including Pol Col Naraphon Wattanakorathavi, Pol Lt Col Bannapong Kaengrian, Pol Lt Col. Ekkachai Siri and Pol Lt Col. Dusit Wanbaworn.
The high-level officers welcomed to Bangla Rd British Consul Joanne Finnamore-Crorkin and Vice Consul Dimas Haristopan Saragih, along with British Honorary Consul in Phuket Chantal Fernandes and Assistant Consul Phannis Khanthakun.
The delegation met to discuss safety measures for foreign visitors and toured the bustling street, one of Phuket’s busiest nightlife hubs. Officers briefed the consular officials on ongoing patrol efforts, which include shifts supported by foreign volunteers and coordination with local police, municipal staff and community networks.
The community-based approach involves a wide safety net, with trained volunteers including convenience store employees and civilian guards playing an active role, Phuket Tourist Police explained in their report.
Most have undergone training under the Tourist Police’s ‘Strong Tourism Community’ initiative, aimed at creating a safer environment for tourists across Phuket, the report added.
The inspection followed British Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding meeting with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat earlier on Monday (Apr 28).
The meeting addressed broader cooperation between the UK and Thailand, particularly in promoting sustainable tourism, supporting health tourism initiatives and improving tourist safety.
During the meeting Ambassador Gooding urged Thai authorities to continue reminding tourists returning to the UK that cannabis remains strictly illegal in the United Kingdom.
SOUTHERN TOUR
The visit to Phuket is part of the British Embassy holding its ‘170th Outreach Roadshow and British Fair’ in southern Thailand to mark the 170th anniversary of bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and Thailand.
Led by Ambassador Gooding, along with agriculture and commercial counsellors, the roadshow aims to highlight collaboration between the two countries under the theme ‘Our Shared World: Environment, Wildlife, Marine, Nature, Climate, Agriculture and Sustainable Tourism’, reports the Bangkok Post.
The roadshow began in Phuket on Monday and continued through Krabi yesterday. Events are planned in Surat Thani today (Apr 30) as part of the embassy’s nationwide year-long celebration.
In Krabi, embassy officials visited the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation to observe UK-supported veterinary care and took part in a tree planting ceremony. Mr Gooding also explored sustainable eco-hospitality practices and met with the Krabi governor to discuss road safety.
In Surat Thani, discussions will centre on high-standard exports and UK import protocols, with a roundtable lunch featuring local businesses in tourism, agriculture and sustainability. A visit to a shrimp farm will also demonstrate UK-Thai cooperation in aquaculture and food security.
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The southern roadshow will conclude with the British Fair 2025 at Big C Surat Thani on Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm.
Mr Gooding said the next stage of the roadshow would take place in the Eastern Economic Corridor in July, focusing on ‘Our Shared Wealth and Prosperity’.
“This roadshow celebrates our longstanding ties with Thailand, from education to innovation and sustainability. We are proud to highlight the depth and breadth of our partnership in this 170th year,” he said.