"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...

[Gaybutton]

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I like that this has been successful in capturing criminals. On the other hand I dislike the possibility that someone may be watching and monitoring my every move.

However, if I had to choose one over the other, I would go with using this technology and catching criminals - as long as innocent people don't find themselves arrested.

I believe someone watching me moving around town would probably fall asleep out of sheer boredom, so I'm not worried about it.
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Thai Tourist Police Tout Success of New AI Cameras: 402 People Arrested, Many in Pattaya

By Adam Judd

August 23, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras deployed nationwide under the Tourist Police’s policy: “Advanced Tourist Police: Using AI Cameras to Connect Databases, Catch Criminals, and Stop Scammers.”

The AI cameras, installed since July 2024 in 10 provinces—including Chonburi (Pattaya), Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport), Nakhon Ratchasima, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Nakhon Phanom, Tak, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen—are linked to the Central Investigation Bureau’s (CIB) database. Positioned in key tourist areas, these cameras identify individuals with outstanding arrest warrants and potential risks, enhancing safety for tourists and locals while boosting confidence in Thailand’s tourism sector.

Commander Saksira revealed a recent success: on August 21st, Pattaya Tourist Police arrested a 24-year-old woman wanted under a Chiang Mai Criminal Court warrant for charges including fraud, impersonation, money laundering, and computer-related crimes. The suspect, identified as Ms. Chatchalikan Chimjarn, was apprehended in Pattaya’s Nongprue subdistrict after an AI camera alert. She was a high-priority target for the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau and was transferred to Saraphi, Chiang Mai, for prosecution. This arrest marked the 399th suspect caught using AI technology.

Since July 2024, the AI cameras have facilitated the arrest of 402 wanted individuals, with Nakhon Ratchasima recording the highest number at 151. The technology has proven effective in apprehending suspects involved in major crimes, including public fraud, mule accounts, drug trafficking, and call-center scams. The Tourist Police Bureau, the first agency to implement this technology, aims to make tourist destinations safer and more secure, reinforcing Thailand’s appeal as a trusted travel destination.

https://thepattayanews.com/2025/08/23/t ... n-pattaya/

[Jun]

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.

The BIB are the people they should go after.

As for AI, well if they have facial recognition, then this could be used to trace illegal immigrants, or at least the illegal immigrants who are on the system. Which includes some of the bar boys. So that's a potential negative.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if they sourced these systems from China. I gather they're quite far down the road with capabilities to keep an eye on their own population.

Meanwhile, Thailand hasn't done the basics and installed cameras with ANPR at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. They could make the roads much safer by doing that.

[Gaybutton]

Meanwhile, Thailand hasn't done the basics and installed cameras with ANPR at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

If you drive on the expressways you might notice ANPR where cameras note your speed and record the number plate of speeding vehicles. If you speed through, now a traffic ticket is sent to the vehicle owner, not to mention point deduction on his driving license.

The problem with that is many of them are inaccurate or don't work at all.

If "Big Brother" is watching, maybe he could use a physical checkup, surgery, and a pair of glasses . . .

[Jun]

If you drive on the expressways you might notice ANPR where cameras note your speed and record the number plate of speeding vehicles. If you speed through, now a traffic ticket is sent to the vehicle owner, not to mention point deduction on his driving license.

Well that makes it even worse. If they already have the technology in place on expressways, why not have it at traffic lights and pedestrian crossings ?