Phuket Court Reopens the Tourist Case Division As Crimes Increase

Phuket Court Reopens the Tourist Case Division As Crimes Increase 

PHUKET: In order to provide tourists with justice and foster trust in the legal system, the Phuket Provincial Court has reopened its Tourist Case Division. According to Mr. Kriangsak Rotphanchu, Acting Chief Judge of Phuket Provincial Court, Phuket's tourism sector draws a sizable number of visitors from both Thailand and outside. As a result, there are now more criminal instances involving visitors as suspects or victims. These instances, whether they are civil, criminal, or consumer-related, have occasionally been covered by the media.

The Tourist Case Division aims to provide justice for tourists when disputes arise, both criminal and civil. It also works with relevant agencies to help tourists receive legal protection and ensure that perpetrators are punished.

Phuket Provincial Court first opened the Tourist Case Division on 24 September 2017. However, it was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The division has now been reopened to drive forward the work of handling tourist cases and to build confidence in the justice system when cases arise in Phuket.

The department will also take evidence from tourists in advance, coordinate with representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Attorney General’s Office to expedite the appearance of defendants in court, serve subpoenas and copies of court proceedings on businesses, and notify them of court dates or orders by telephone, fax, email or other information technology means.

It will coordinate with interpreters and mediators who need to work outside regular office hours and provide assistance and advice to tourists who need to designate a representative of a government agency as their proxy to follow up on the case when they need to return home.