Phuket municipal officials recently allocated funds from subdistrict administrative organization budgets around the island to install additional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. The new cameras will increase the number of locations covered to 105, from the 48 installed during the first phase of the programme. Officials said that the new CCTV equipment is expected to be operational soon in Patong, Kata and Karon.

Phuket Vice Governor Warapot Rattasrima chairs the CCTV installation committee, and he's joined by representatives of Phuket police, members of subdistrict administrative organizations and Police Station Commander Maj. Gen. Decha Budnampetch.

Mr. Rattasrima said installation of the first phase of 48 CCTV cameras was funded by 16 million baht designated for improving safety in Patong, Kata and Karon as well as in Phuket City.
The ministry of interior has now released a bigger budget for the new CCTVs being installed in the second phase of the operation.

New CCTVs are being installed in five locations in the Tapkrasattree subdistrict, two in Srisoontorn, thirteen in Chalong, nine in Rawai and six in Mai Khao. Kathu subdistrict will get 6 new CCTVs, while Cherng Talay bagged ten and Kamala four.

Pol.Capt. Nikorn Chootong, told the Post he hopes the CCTVs will play a part in reducing crime and facilitating legal processes in cases of accidents and crimes.

He invites private and public organisations who want to install CCTVs of their own to contact the relevant police departments in the area, so that these may be synchronised with the official CCTVs, bolstering further the security status of the island.