Phuket Provincial Police will expand the island’s “Phuket Eye” security system to enhance crime prevention, traffic management, and tourist safety after the programme helped arrest 369 foreign suspects in the first half of 2025, police said on 1 July.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, commander of Phuket Provincial Police, announced the expansion during a mid-year briefing, citing the effectiveness of the Phuket Eye—part of the broader Phuket Model initiative. The programme uses surveillance technology to monitor public spaces and support law enforcement.
Since 1 January 2025, police have arrested 369 foreign nationals under the system. Of those, 87 were charged with illegal immigration, 65 with drunk driving, 27 with working in prohibited occupations, and 23 with drug-related offences.
The police also cited 28,809 foreigners for traffic violations. The largest groups were Russian nationals (3,121), followed by Chinese (1,721), British (1,419), French (1,365), and Indian tourists (1,069).
The Phuket Eye system also supports broader traffic safety goals. During the Songkran festival earlier this year, authorities reported no road fatalities—compared to 45 accidents and 45 injuries the previous year—after implementing helmet campaigns and stricter vehicle regulations.
Looking ahead, provincial police plan to increase the number of closed-circuit cameras from 223 to 503 by 2026. The upgrade, estimated at 98 million baht, will link all cameras to a central database with a 30-day video retention capacity.
Pol Maj Gen Sinlert stated that the expansion reflects ongoing efforts to reinforce Phuket’s reputation as a safe, high-standard destination. “We will intensify our operations to ensure the safety of tourists and maintain Phuket’s global image,” he said.
