Myanmar’s national police department will deploy more tourist police in Thandwe and Mrauk U, Rakhine state, due to the steady increase in visitors to the region travel website TRR reported on 25 August.
Myanmar Business Today reported security would be beefed up in Thandwe, Kyauktaw, Ngapali Junction, Mazin Airport, Mrauk U Archaeology Museum, Shiqthaung Pagoda and Mrauk U Airport.
Even with the state’s growing popularity visitors entering Mrauk U reached just 1,900 in 2012, and by 2014 doubled to 3,500. However, during the half of this year more than 2,400 tourists have visited Rakhine state.
Thandwe and Ngapali beaches are far more popular with 33,000 visits in 2013, 36,000 in 2014 and 21,000 during the first half of 2015.
Police have three units based in Mandalay, two in Yangon, and two in Shan state, while Ayeyarwady, Nay Pyi Taw, Bago, Sagaing, Mon and Kayin have one each, according to deputy minister for home affairs brigadier general Kyaw Kyaw Htun.