The newly appointed Hua Hin Police Commissioner; Pol. Lt. Gen. Weeraphong Chuenphakdee has addressed local people, business people, including the management of hotels and guesthouses in Hua Hin to acknowledge problems in the city and discuss best practices for Hua Hin police officers. A meeting has taken place at the Hilton Hua Hin and Spa was attended by 200 participants who posed the followings problems which require active and immediate action by police:
1. Hua Hin beaches should have a zone specified exclusively for water sports, particularly kiteboarding which is now becoming popular amongst beachgoers and when enjoyed in areas in front of hotels and guesthouses may hurt or even injure those walking on the beach.
2. Officials should provide parking space for tourists as many parking areas along the main road and streets in Hua Hin are taken by owners of cars for rent.
3. Entertainment venues should be closed later than 1 AM to facilitate foreign visitors.
4. Security guards of entertainment venues should have their criminal record checked because some of them are reportedly criminals.
5. Foreign tourists’ visa should be extended longer than 15 days. The longer foreigners stay here, the more local business people will earn.
6. Police should patrol all areas of Hua Hin day at night for the safety of local people and tourists. These proposals will now be considered seriously by the police. The new Police Commissioner added that he also proposed some policy changes for Hua Hin police.
The changes include the following:
1. A police patrol team to monitor the Hua Hin night market.
2. Local people to work with rescue teams and foundations to help those suffering and affected by natural disaster.
3. The emergency line 191 should be operated for 24 hours each day.
4. A team of police officers, should work at all road checkpoints on Phetchakasem Road.
5. Since police officers alone cannot solve every problem, a citizen network is an effective mechanism that helps the police.
Problems in Hua Hin can be categorized into 2 major types:
– Criminal acts such as robbery, illegal tour guides, cheating taxi drivers or drug addicts and
– Natural disasters or accident. Public officers should work closely with local people to find effective solutions, concluded Pol. Lt. Gen. Weeraphong
