The newly renovated, 20-million-baht Wang Kanon shooting range has been unveiled with national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda declaring yesterday he plans to use it to build troops of sharp-shooters.
Police expect Wang Kanon to be one of the best shooting facilities in Asia.
But more than that, it will also serve as a personnel development measure for improving shooting skills, especially for those attached to the commando unit, Pol Gen Chakthip said as he presided over its opening yesterday.
Shooting skills are essential to help police deal with life-threatening situations, including those in which victims are held hostage, he said.
If the officers can shoot accurately and carefully, they will be able to prevent great loss to people's lives, Pol Gen Chakthip said.
Wang Kanon, in the compound of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) in Chokchai Si area, has long served as a key shooting range for police, but with a lack of development over the past 29 years, its facilities deteriorated over time.
The latest facelift, which started in April last year, brings new changes to the old shooting gallery.
In its new guise it is more modern, and kinder to the environment.
In the past, Wang Kanon was just an outdoor shooting ground with 26 lanes for shooters, but the numbers have now increased to 32 and they are situated inside a building.
Two lanes are reserved for highly-destructive weapons, including M16 assault rifles and hand-held machine guns.
These weapons are needed when police have to fight against transnational terrorists and gunmen hired by influential figures, said Pol Col Tosak Sukwimon, chief of the CSD's special operation unit, known as commandos.
The two lanes are specially designed and covered with materials, including thick steel, to ensure safety and prevent noise pollution, he said.
The building's second floor is designed to give a more pleasant feeling for police who love shooting sports. They can sit and sip coffee while chatting with friends.
"We aim to make it one of the standard shooting galleries in Asia," Pol Col Tosak said.
Its design was approved by engineers and experienced shooters, he added.
Pol Gen Chakthip put his shooting skills to the test during yesterday's visit.
The national police chief chose a SIG MPX pistol and, in a calm and concentrated manner, he fired a total of six gunshots. All hit their shooting target.
