Thai police made significant strides at the UAE SWAT Challenge 2025, hosted from February 1 to 5, 2025, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This event has become a prestigious opportunity for police forces worldwide to showcase their tactical skills, and the Thai teams certainly didn’t disappoint.
At the event, Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma, the Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, alongside Pol. Maj. Gen. Chusawat Chanrathakij and Pol. Maj. Gen. Poomin Phumpunphuang, led nine officers to support the competitive efforts of three Thai police teams.
The competition commenced on February 1, with Team C (all female officers) competing early, followed by Team A, both of which put on impressive performances. Team B, also representing the Thai police, stood out as they clinched the fourth spot among 105 competing teams, finishing with a remarkable time of 1 minute and 43.61 seconds.
While Team B captured the spotlight by achieving such high recognition, Team C secured the 32nd place with their time of 2.19.15 minutes, and Team A followed close behind, finishing 34th at 2.25.32 minutes. Their impressive rankings are a demonstration of the dedication and hard work put forth by these teams.
After the day's competitions, Gen. Samran and his team met with Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, the Dubai Police Commander, to discuss mutual concerns and strategies surrounding policing. The significance of such discussions cannot be understated, especially as they explored the concept of Smart Police Stations—facilities without on-site officers, where community members can report incidents and use facilities through kiosks.
“The UAE SWAT Challenge is important for showcasing our tactical capabilities on the world stage,” said Pol. Gen. Samran Nuanma. This highlights the Thai police’s determination to improve their operations and engage with international law enforcement effectively.
Throughout their stay, the Thai delegation also connected with Mr. Andrew Kamarchevakul, stationed currently with the NYPD, who is based out of Dubai. This interaction centered around exploring collaborative efforts in law enforcement, particularly concerning drug trafficking and human trafficking issues.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chusawat Chanrathakij emphasized the importance of the competition saying, “We aim to develop our personnel to meet international security standards.” His statement is reflective of the continuous improvement and expert training the Thai police are pursuing to maintain their operational standards against global benchmarks.
The opportunity to participate at such events not only allows Thai police to exhibit their capabilities but also fosters indispensable networking channels. The relationships they build here can facilitate collaborations addressing more complex global security threats.
Overall, the success seen by the Thai police forces at the UAE SWAT Challenge 2025 lays down the groundwork necessary for future enhancements and adaptations of their tactical responses. Their experiences shared at this international platform will undoubtedly bolster the proficiency of the personnel and the capabilities of the department.
With the conclusion of the first day, the Thai teams have set high hopes for the remaining days of the competition, showcasing both their strengths and the readiness to adapt to the ever-evolving face of law enforcement worldwide.