Due to the new chief of Muang District’s anxiety, Supachai Pochanukul’s anxiety toward the acts of violent crimes happened at Saphan Hin park, made the park as a dangerous place to go after dark, the government then mobilize volunteers dressed in Orange uniform ride on bicycles. Those Orange Guardians will patrolling Saphan Hin park in a new drive to make people feel safe at night.

“Saphan Hin park is a favorite location for tourists and locals alike,” he said. People come for various reasons, whether playing sports or just relax. Sometimes they remain in the park until late at night and we hope that the volunteers can help them to feel safe for the presence of orange bike guardians.”

An opening ceremony took place at Saphan Hin on March 6 to launch the initiative, which will attended by around 20 Phuket Volunteer Security Force members patrolling the park from 6:30pm to 11:30pm every night. This “bicycle guard” project, Chief Supachai said, is a collaboration between Phuket City Hall and the Rotary Club of Phuket. The program itself involved a total of 80 volunteers taking part.

“Feedback has been very good since the start of this project. People are friendly to us and some have said they would like us to stay further into the night,” said a volunteer organizer who wished to remain anonymous.

“We often encounter teenagers taking drugs, but they quickly run away. As we are only on bicycles, we cannot chase after them. Actually, it is not our duty to pursue and arrest,” he said.

Another volunteer added, “If we encounter serious problems like accidents, each of us has a radio with and help us to immediately contact the police.”

Chief Supachai would like to see the project extended to other areas such as King Rama IX Park, Rang Hill, and even the beaches.

“However, one thing I am concerned about is the maintenance support for the project. It is due to the kindness hearts of those volunteers who get no payment for this job whilst they sacrificing their time for it,” he said.

News by Phuket Gazette