** WARNING: Some people may find the images disturbing.
Chalong Police posted a video of the exercise online on Tuesday (Oct 1).
The video shows a man pulling up in front of the mall on a motorbike and shouldering what looks like an ‘assault-style’ rifle. He then enters the mall and starts the simulation of mass shooting while walking through the mall.
The video shows staff exiting the main areas of the mall, and senior police arriving to led the response, working with the staff and locating the ‘shooter’ through the mall’s security CCTV.
A response tem then enters the mall, in formation and with a bullet-proof shield, and confronts the ‘shooter’, who surrenders.
The post of the video does not give a time and date for the ‘joint rehearsal of the Active Shooter incident response plan’, but the posting of the video came the same day that police launched a special anti-crime campaign for the Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
A total of 350 personnel are involved in the campaign, including Region 8 Police, Phuket Provincial Police, Navy personnel and personnel from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor).
At the campaign launch Region 8 Police Commander Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomchit emphasised that the campaign is part of the Royal Thai Police’s broader strategy to maintain public safety, especially during major festivals.
He highlighted the need for continuous vigilance and strict law enforcement during events that attract large gatherings.
“The safety of the public and tourists is our top priority,” he said. “We are committed to using all necessary precautions and police tactics to ensure the safety of everyone during the Vegetarian Festival,” Pol Lt Gen Surapong said.