The security for the one-week visit to Phuket of Swedish Royalty, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, will be tight with more than 100 police officers directly involved in the security effort and units from other many other government agencies taking part.
Police Region 8 and the Tourist Police would be involved in security during land transport, while the Marine Police, Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Navy would ensure the royals’ safety in the sea and sky.
The Swedish royal couple will arrive in Phuket on the afternoon of June 14 following their attendance in Bangkok of the celebrations to mark His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th anniversary of accession to the throne.
Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura, who received a medal from the Swedish monarch for his efforts in the post-tsunami recovery during the royal couple’s visit to the region in February 2005, will command this special security effort.
Governor Udomsak told attendees in a meeting on the topic of the royal visit at Phuket Provincial Hall on June 06 that King Karl Gustaf and Queen Silvia will stay at the Trisara Resort at Nai Thon Beach. Their itinerary may also include a trip to Phang Nga and a visit to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where a conference room has been named after King Carl Gustaf.
The Governor said the province should do everything possible to ensure the royalty enjoy their visit, as they will also be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary on June 19, which falls during their stay.
He added that a welcome committee would be set up on the tarmac outside the VIP room at Phuket International Airport. He also asked a representative of Airports of Thailand (AOT) attending the meeting to ensure that the airport is decked out in Thai and Swedish flags to mark the occasion.
Udomsak also said there would be another meeting to finalize last-minute preparations on June 13 at Phuket Provincial Hall, where a center would be set up to coordinate security and other aspects of the royal visit throughout the week.
