Thailand, the host country for the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, has completed all necessary preparations. Security for APEC leaders and summit attendees is a top priority. The Royal Thai Police have been running a massive anti-crime campaign to help this cause and boost public trust.
On November 8, Royal Thai Police Commissioner Damrongsak Kittipraphat released a report detailing the force’s success in combating crime from October 10 and November 8. The police operation was launched to boost morale and security in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week starting the following Monday.
Pol. Gen. Damrongsak claims that 10,450 suspects were involved in 11,811 gun-related offenses. We seized 36 military weapons in addition to 5,345 illegal firearms and 936 legally owned firearms. The amount of ammunition taken was 37,045 rounds, while the number of explosives seized was 4,342.
The processing of 41,809 drug cases involved the arrest of 43,027 individuals and the seizure of almost 49 million methamphetamines. There were 9,465 arrests made in response to active criminal case warrants.
The arrests of those selling BB guns adapted to fire actual ammo were emphasized by the police chief. Guns were sold over the internet. It is estimated that about a hundred firearms and thirteen thousand rounds of ammunition were taken from these vendors. Eleven explosive weapons were also found and taken in.
According to the police commissioner, there is now no significant threat to security. But they aren’t sitting on their hands, either; officials have been conducting searches to beef up security in a number of different areas. The border was fortified, as were the roads leading to Bangkok. Participants in the APEC meeting’s convoys have also participated in security escort drills. On November 10, there will be another practice run, and on November 12, there will be a complete drill.
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, site of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, to host anti-terrorism drill on November 11. General Prawit Wongsuwon, the country’s deputy prime minister, will personally oversee the drill.