The Tourist Police Division (TPD) was initially established and named ― Tourist Security Support
and Help Centre (TSSHC)‖ in 1976 and at that time TPD was under the jurisdiction of The Police
Department. The Police Department later (1998) became the Royal Thai Police (Tourist Police
Division, 2005). The TSSHC was responsible for receiving complaints from tourists, protecting and
maintaining security for tourists in the community and tourist locations in Bangkok Metropolis.
Since the rapid growth of the tourist industry, numbers of tourists, tourist attractions and relevant
businesses all over the country, it was found that the TSSHC was unable to fully carry out their
mission. Accordingly, the TSSHC, was transformed into The Tourist Police Headquarters in 1982,
and then The Tourist Police Division (TPD) in 1991 (Tourist Police Division, 2005). The powers and
266
major responsibilities of the TPD were prescribed in the Royal Gazette as the following: to assist,
facilitate, provide security, and protect the well being of tourists; and to make contact and
coordinate with relevant organizations and agencies. In addition, the TPD‘s work includes
investigation of criminal offences related to Thailand‘s Immigration Laws.