How Thailand plans to improve safety after Bangkok bombing

On August 17, a bombing occurred inside the Erawan Shrine, Bangkok, which killed 20 people and injured 125. Unfortunately, according to local authorities, most of the security cameras on the culprit’s getaway route were broken, and the lack of modern equipment needed to track the culprit led to several setbacks in the investigations. “Following the bombing, security have been tightened around Bangkok, particularly in areas frequented by tourists, with additional security officials positioned and additional security checkpoints put in place,” said Arnon Kulawongvanich, GM of Sales and Marketing at Bangkok OA Coms.

Moreover, city surveillance has been one of the main government projects. In Bangkok, there are already a large number of existing cameras which are generally a mix of many different brands. According to Kelvin Lim, Country Manager at D-RON Technology, video analytics software will also be important to implement due to recent events. “The police will try to find any solution to analyze suspicious objects and prevent any criminal activities in advance,” he explained.

The tragedy has indeed drastically raised security awareness, and added several requirements for equipment upgrades. The government plans to implement laws that would set a standard for camera resolution, making high resolution mandatory for street cameras in order to help with future investigations and deter criminal activity. “Because of this tragedy, not only authorities, but the whole country will put more emphasis to public safety and the security industry. The authorities of Thailand will plan to update the public surveillance system with more high definition and intelligent security cameras in the city,” said Kulawongvanich.

Security Guard Regulation to Add More Emphasis on Security

In efforts to standardize the security services sector, Thailand’s national legislative assembly is reportedly considering a bill that would regulate security guards. The bill would stipulate standards that security services companies must comply with. Some of the mandatory qualifications to be a security guard include: minimum education level of Mathayom 3 (Grade 9), Thai nationality, and a course completion certificate designed by the Royal Thai Police. “The new laws for security guard regulation are great opportunities to control and improve our social organization. The situation will create a big age change to the security industry and because of the low quality standards of human resources, the equipment will become a key part in driving the security business,” said Vallop Kingchansilp, President at Guts Group of Company.

“This will greatly affect security service companies as it will be difficult to find qualified security guards, and they much increase service costs. But it is good for physical security equipment companies, because security service companies must combine physical security equipment with their guards to provide best security solution with reasonable price for customers,” said Somchai Prajaksoot, MD at Digital Focus.

As Johnny Trivitayakhun, MD at Security Communication Center said, “I would personally welcome the Thai authority to launch a professional educational curriculum, to help standardized physical guards, as well as to grant them opportunities to earn more income and improve their welfare. Education and understanding the level of threat is very important, what to look for and how to observe, along with the fundamental understanding and usages of security systems, albeit alarm systems, surveillance systems, metal detectors, and X-ray machines, etc. All of this should be well thought. Having such knowledge will eventually help create demands for equipment and solutions.”

Thailand Stays Resilient
Thailand, as always, will remain resilient through their most recent tragedy. With plans to create a brighter future, the economy and security industry is looking up as security awareness breaks through in the country. With the help of AEC 2015 and regulations for security services, the industry is bound to reach new levels as Thailand recovers from its stagnate state.