Royal Thai Police delegation visits Greater Manchester Police

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) recently welcomed a senior delegation from the Royal Thai Police as part of ongoing international engagement between the United Kingdom and Thailand.

The visit, hosted by Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson in collaboration with the British Embassy in Thailand, and facilitated by Professor John Synnott, provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and discuss shared policing challenges, including serious and organised crime, community policing, digital innovation and leadership in modern law enforcement.

During their visit, the delegation observed the security operation supporting the Manchester derby, gaining insight into the policing of high-profile sporting events.

They also witnessed the first deployment of live facial recognition technology at a major event outside London and shadowed officers from GMP’s Night Time Economy teams to better understand approaches to public safety and operational coordination in vibrant urban night-time environments.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: “We were honoured to welcome the Royal Thai Police senior delegation to GMP to discuss strategic priorities and share our approaches to policing.

“Last year marked the 170th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, underscoring the enduring strength and continued relevance of that partnership.

“The engagement reflects the long-standing relationship between the UK and Thailand, built on mutual respect and professional collaboration across security and justice sectors."

Associate Professor Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot (Ph.D.), Deputy Commissioner, Royal Thai Police, said: “Thailand and the United Kingdom have a long history of cooperation and constructive engagement, underpinned by shared values and mutual respect.

“In this context, it was a pleasure to be hosted recently by Sir Stephen Watson at Greater Manchester Police, where we discussed both the challenges and the future of policing globally.

“I look forward to continuing this engagement and exploring opportunities for collaboration and shared learning between our two countries.”

During the visit, the delegation met with senior GMP officers and specialist teams to explore operational approaches and discuss future areas of collaboration.

The discussions highlighted the importance of strong international partnerships in tackling emerging threats and strengthening public confidence in policing.

Greater Manchester Police continues to work closely with partners across the UK and internationally to enhance capability, share best practice and support global security cooperation.