The national police commissioner has opposed the concept of inviting Chinese police to patrol with their Thai counterparts, ostensibly to increase the safety of Chinese tourists.

Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol said the idea could not be implemented because it involves national security, adding “I disagree with the idea as it would infringe upon Thailand’s sovereignty. Thai police are quite capable of taking care of Thai people as well as tourists.”

He also denied reports that it was the Royal Thai Police’s idea to conduct the joint patrols, explaining that “Reports that it was the Thai police’s initiative may have been a misunderstanding. What we have proposed is the setting up of a coordination centre with China, so that, when there are crimes related to China, we could exchange information about suspects and cases,” he said.

He went on to say that “The concept (of joint patrols with the Chinese) was tried in Italy. I believe that was because, in Italy, there was a language barrier issue, so they needed help from Chinese police. Such problems do not, however, happen with Thai police.”

According to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, it was the Thai prime minister’s idea to invite Chinese police to patrol with their Thai counterparts, to help provide security for Chinese tourists in Thailand.

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