Bangkok: The Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police inspected a drill simulating a mass shooting incident to prepare for and respond to crisis situations. The exercise, held by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Command, was aimed at ensuring that all police officers are ready to effectively manage such crises, reinforcing the notion of being "police officers for the people."
According to Thai News Agency, Police General Kittirat Phanphet, the Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, led the inspection of the drill, which involved both police officers and the public. Senior police officials, including Pol. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabutr and Pol. Lt. Gen. Surapong Thanomjit, were present, along with representatives from the World Bank/IMF security team and the Ministry of Finance. The drill took place at One Bangkok shopping mall and highlighted the Royal Thai Police's commitment to controlling crisis situations systematically and tactically.
The Royal Thai Police has devised a public order plan to enhance operations from preparation to recovery, defining roles for first responders and incident commanders. The Bangkok Metropolitan Police Command has been rehearsing plans and preparing for potential future crises by focusing on two primary dimensions: promoting the "Escape, Hide, Fight" strategy through regular training and conducting specialized training for Tactical Special Operations Units, involving 1,021 officers.
The drill at One Bangkok aimed to increase awareness among business owners and residents about their roles during emergencies. It tested the readiness of the Multi-Station Tactical Special Operations Unit (MPB SWAT) from Lumpini Police Station and neighboring stations, ensuring effective coordination in crisis situations.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, private sector organizations, and the public in handling unforeseen incidents. He highlighted that past mass shooting incidents have significantly impacted victims' mental well-being and tested the effectiveness of police officers. Quick and correct implementation of tactical plans is crucial in preventing further casualties.
Crisis management is vital, and local police officers must thoroughly understand their roles, responsibilities, and procedures for managing incidents. This includes area limitation, personnel deployment, assistance provision, and civilian evacuation. Refresher training for officers at all levels is essential to ensure readiness for real-life situations, along with coordinating security measures, prevention, reporting, and public education in sensitive areas like schools and shopping malls.
The Commissioner General urged all officers to maintain vigilance and adhere to the plan with discipline to minimize losses and build public trust, reinforcing the ideal of the police as "the people's police."