CIB chief surveys use of tech in Osaka
Chief of Osaka Prefectural Police, Iwashita Tsuyoshi, left, hands a commemorative gift to the Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej. Wassayos Ngamkham
Osaka: Thai police will work with their counterparts in Japan to crack down on international call scammer gangs operating in the region, drawing on advanced technology and other advances to keep up with online crime.
From Sept 16–21, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), led a delegation of top police to Osaka city, Japan, to study approaches to crime prevention and suppression.
The visit focused on how Osaka Prefectural Police apply advanced technology and innovation to improve law enforcement efficiency.
The Thai delegation was welcomed by Osaka Prefectural Police chief Iwashita Tsuyoshi.
Meanwhile, discussions with members of Japan’s National Police Agency, also held in Osaka, focused on cross-border crimes, particularly call centre scams and human trafficking, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.
Both Thai and Japanese authorities agree these are top security priorities that must be addressed, he noted.
“After the discussion, the CIB and Japan’s National Police Agency reached an agreement to intensify cooperation in intelligence-sharing, together with strengthening technological capabilities,” he said.
“The CIB will assist Japan in tracing the suspects in Thailand, upon request, and exchange criminal data,” he added.
He said Thailand may take after Japan in terms of technologies like advanced emergency hotlines, CCTV systems equipped with artificial intelligence capable of detecting suspicious or abnormal behaviour and digital forensics techniques for data analysis on computers and mobile devices.
Japan and Thailand have cooperated on a number of operations against crime on previous occasions.
In several cases, Japanese police contacted the CIB after obtaining information or leads on crimes, particularly those involving organised crime groups with connections to Thailand.
The CIB also provided assistance by carrying out investigations under Thai laws as well as the international Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, enabling evidence to be used in prosecutions before Japanese courts.
In May 2023, the CIB received intelligence of Japanese nationals linked to the Yakuza criminal syndicate residing illegally in Pattaya.
With arrest warrants issued in Japan, the CIB swiftly investigated the case and detained five suspects who were later deported.
In addition, Thai and Japanese police have held meetings to exchange intelligence on call centre scams and other forms of cybercrime to prevent Thailand from being used as a regional base for such offences. During the trip to Japan, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop also visited the Osaka World Expo 2025.
Under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, the world expo showcases cutting-edge global innovations in technology. Japan came up with the theme to highlight the use of high technology in sustainability, recycling and disaster-resilient architecture.
The Thai delegation also viewed exhibitions by representatives of the United States, Germany and Saudi Arabia to draw lessons that may be adapted by Thai police.
AloJapan.com