"Big Brother" really is watching

[Gaybutton]

Apparently George Orwell was 41 years ahead of his time . . .

Personally I have no objection to this. If they want to watch me, let them. I see no reason to be worried about this if they really are interested in using this to cut down crime rather than worrying about which bars people are going to.

What I want to see is how quickly the police response time will be if they observe anything going on, or if they'll respond at all. As long as they are going to do this, I hope it will be a positive thing.

For me the downside is now I'll have to stop taking a pee by the side of the road . . .
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Pattaya Safety in AI Hands – ‘We Are Watching You’ as Thailand rolls out high-tech tourist security

By Pattaya Mail

June 7, 2025

Thailand is taking a bold leap into the future of tourist safety, with Pattaya set to become a model of AI-powered surveillance under a watchful national campaign that could be summed up in four words: “We are watching you.”

In a high-level meeting on Friday at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, national police officials and tourism authorities joined forces to announce an ambitious plan to integrate AI technology and an expanded CCTV network into Thailand’s tourist security systems — with Pattaya as a key focus.

Pol. Gen. Akkaradech Pimolsri, Special Advisor to the Royal Thai Police, said the initiative is in line with Prime Minister’s economic stimulus policy, aiming not only to protect visitors but also to restore international confidence in Thailand as a safe, modern, and smart destination.

The meeting, chaired by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thiengthong, was attended by senior police officers and ministerial advisors. It marks a new level of cooperation between the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, particularly in leveraging technology to support law enforcement and tourist services.

At the heart of the plan: artificial intelligence systems capable of real-time facial recognition, wanted-person alerts, and suspicious behavior analysis — all linked to an expanding network of CCTV cameras across high-tourism zones. Pattaya, one of the country’s most visited and sometimes most criticized cities, will be one of the early testing grounds for the integrated system.

“We’re not just increasing surveillance — we’re modernizing how we detect threats and respond to them,” said Pol. Gen. Akkaradech. “AI helps us track individuals with outstanding warrants or on national watchlists before they can cause harm.”

The new system will feed data to the Tourist Police Operations Center, where officers can coordinate rapid responses and cross-agency alerts. Authorities also pledged to expand communication with tourists through official apps, hotlines, and real-time reporting tools developed in partnership with private tech companies.

Tourism leaders also emphasized the importance of positive messaging to counter fake news and misinformation, which have in recent years damaged Thailand’s image abroad. Ensuring that tourists feel safe — and are seen to be protected — is central to the country’s broader economic revival strategy.

In Pattaya, long associated with both beachside fun and occasional trouble, the new surveillance campaign could mark a turning point. Police have quietly begun installing new AI-enabled cameras in high-traffic nightlife areas, public transport hubs, and along the beach.

While privacy advocates may raise concerns, officials argue the balance has tipped toward proactive prevention.

“We’re not watching to invade your space. We’re watching to protect it,” said one senior officer after the meeting. “If you come to Thailand to relax and enjoy, you’ll be safer than ever. But if you come with bad intentions — the system already knows.”

As Thailand doubles down on safety tech, the message is clear: welcome to the Land of Smiles — under smart surveillance.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattay ... ity-503962

[Dodger]

I'm not sure what they hope to gain with AI surveillance - when the BIB don't even go after law breakers that people can see with the naked eye.

It's like handing someone who never even looks up at the sky a James Webb Space Telescope...