Tourist Police urge for an end to prank calls

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Bangkok – The Tourist Police Bureau (TPB) has urged citizens to refrain from making prank calls to the 1155 tourist police Hotline, as the line is meant to provide assistance to local and foreign tourists.

According to TPB Deputy Commissioner Pol. Maj. Gen. Surachet Hakpan, the bureau’s call center has received over 200,000 calls since its inception a year ago. He pointed out that during the high season from July to December the average number of calls was in the range of 30,000 – 50,000 calls monthly. The Deputy Commissioner indicated that the number peaked in October at 53,756 calls, adding however that out of that figure, 15,537 were prank calls.

The TPB Deputy Chief said that so far this year the number of calls had already reached 140,000, with 1,400 being prank calls. He implored people to refrain from prank calling and preventing those who need help from receiving immediate assistance.

He further stated that prank callers are usually either juveniles or mentally disturbed individuals.