Cherng Talay Police seek B53mn for new station

Cherng Talay Police are seeking B53 million to build a new police station and housing on Srisoonthorn Rd in Phuket, with construction possible later this year if funding is approved.

A ceremony marking approval for the Royal Thai Police to use the land was held at the site on June 11, presided over by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum.

Cherng Talay Police Chief Col Ekkarat Plaiduang said the new station is needed because the current facility can no longer adequately support operations in one of Phuket’s fastest-growing areas.

He said the existing station, at the intersection of Srisoonthorn Rd and Baan Don-Cherng Talay Rd, has served the community for more than 80 years but now has limited room to expand despite growth in residents, tourists, businesses and property developments.

According to Col Ekkarat, the station lacks office space, public service areas, storage facilities and parking. He said Cherng Talay Police have 82 officers, but the current station is small and cramped, with no room for further expansion.

Police have requested B23 million for construction of the main station building and another B30 million for police housing, bringing the total project cost to B53 million.

The new station is planned for 11 rai 1 ngan of land behind the Cherng Talay Subdistrict Administrative Organisation offices, accessed via Soi Bangtao 1 opposite Lotus’s Cherng Talay on Srisoonthorn Rd. The site is about 1.3 kilometres from the current station.

Col Ekkarat said most police operations will move to the new station once it opens, while the current station will remain in use as a base for traffic police because of its location at the major Cherng Talay intersection.

Maj Gen Sinlert said the investment was needed to support law enforcement in one of Phuket’s important tourism and economic areas. Until construction is completed, all police services will continue to operate from the existing Cherng Talay Police Station.