Authorities are preparing to set up tourist service centres on popular beaches in three districts of Phuket to improve visitor safety and security around the clock.
Prajead Aksornthammakul, the province's deputy governor, said officials were concerned about a rising number of incidents involving tourists who have been robbed of valuables, suffered injuries or even death.
The incidents have eroded faith in tourist safety and tarnished the image of the island province, said Mr Prajead.
As a result, he said, Phuket governor Chamroen Thippayapongthada had proposed setting up tourist service centres on popular beaches and some islands in Muang, Kathu and Thalang districts.
In Muang district, the centres would be set up on Kata, Karon, Nai Han and Yanui beaches, and on Koh Racha, Koh Hae and Koh Mai Ton islands. In Kathu district, there would be centres on Patong, Kamala, Kalim and Traitrang beaches. In Thalang, proposed locations are Mai Khao, Nai Thon, Nai Yang, Bang Tao, Surin, Layan and Sai Kaew beaches and Koh Nakha.
The deputy governor said he had ordered local administration organisations to survey potential sites for the centres and report them to the provincial Tourism and Sports Ministry office this week so budgets could be allocated.
The service centres are expected to open by early December, he added.