New leader for Foreign Tourist Police Assistants

Written By Unknown on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 | 05:05

The superintendent of Pattaya's Tourist Police, Lieutenant Colonel Aroon Promphan (left), has appointed Wayne Walton as group leader of the local Foreign Tourist Police Assistants (FTPA). Wayne, 45, has experience in UK policing including UK Royal Protection, and in the private sector organizing close protection for dignitaries.
Wayne said, "I am honoured to take over leadership of FTPA in Pattaya following the resignation of Rey Dominguez who will be spending more time in the USA. I hope to involve many more people in FTPA in the future to make the team more dynamic and professional." He added that the 45 member-strong FTPA had a priority to recruit more Russian-speaking members in view of the changing visitor profile on Walking Street.

The role of the auxiliary FTPA is to assist Tourist Police, principally at the mobile unit on Walking Street, dealing with general tourist questions as well as assisting with visitors' difficulties and helping to keep public order as and when necessary. They also work with Thai Tourist Police Volunteers.

In recent years, FTPA has attempted to become more professional with a lengthy induction programme and regular ongoing training and meetings. Applicants must possess a one-year visa and have police clearance from their home country. There is a strict disciplinary code and a detailed manual of correct procedures. Most FTPA have police, army or security backgrounds or have other relevant skills such as foreign language fluency or diplomatic experience.

Barry Kenyon, FTPA press officer, said, "Most people remember the famous TV series Big Trouble in Thailand, but FTPA has evolved in many ways since then. Wayne has a big task ahead in ensuring the organization is progressive and up-to-date, but he's surely the right man for the job. Pattaya is now attracting huge numbers of Russian, Indian and Chinese tourists and our structures need to take account of that."