Colonel Peerayut Karajedee, superintendent of general staff, said that the 48 cameras installed in Phuket City, Kata-Karon and Patong at a cost of Bt16 million had proven useful in their first three months of operation.

"The CCTV system helps police in both crime suppression and prevention, as well as in traffic monitoring and control. Reports from the three control stations show that the CCTV has helped solve many criminal cases, including snatch-and-run thefts and acts involving bodily harm.

"We can follow the suspects and order the closest police officers to intercept them more easily. We can use the CCTV records as evidence in traffic cases, too," he said.

However, Peerayut said that the current CCTV system had some minor faults. Sometimes images lack the resolution needed to make out car license plate numbers and better "zoom" functions could be added, he said.

"The main problem now is operating costs, especially electricity charges. Every CCTV camera needs electricity and air conditioners must operate 24 hours a day in each control room," he said.

"We are now looking for help in covering these costs from local administrative bodies, which benefit directly from the CCTV system," he added.

Phuket Vice Governor Worapoj Ratthasima said that the second phase of CCTV system would be installed by year-end.

"We have identified 180 'risk areas' in Phuket's three districts where CCTV cameras should be installed. Local administrations now are preparing budgets for that and I will hold a meeting soon to discuss it further," he said.

In addition to boosting coverage in Phuket City, Kata-Karon and Patong, cameras are expected to be set up in key areas of tambons Wichit and Rawai in Muang district as well as in Tah Chat Chai in Mai Khao, Thalang.

Phuket Gazette

Phuket