The World Horticultural Expo 2026 in Udon Thani has upgraded security by installing nearly 2,000 CCTV cameras citywide. The signals are linked directly to police stations, using AI technology to scan faces and license plates to prevent crime.
On 29 October 2026, reporters in Udon Thani Province covered preparations for handling tourists attending the World Horticultural Expo 2026, scheduled from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027. The Udon Thani Municipality has coordinated with the Udon Thani City Police Station, Udon Thani Provincial Police, and event organizers to apply modern technological innovations for safeguarding lives and property, aiming to reassure visitors throughout the event.
Kittikorn Theekathananon, Mayor of Udon Thani Municipality, revealed that the municipality has proactively organized the city, including repairing road surfaces, traffic lights, lighting, sidewalks, managing communication cables, and regulating street vendors. They also plan to extend the pedestrian street opening to three days: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Additionally, preparations have been made for a CCTV system to ensure 24-hour security, totaling 1,625 cameras covering 15 entry and exit points, economic zones, and main and secondary roads. This includes 633 online cameras and 972 offline cameras in communities and parks, along with 52 license plate recognition cameras and 3 facial recognition cameras for wanted individuals. The main control center is located on the sixth floor of the Udon Thani Municipality office, with direct signal sharing to the Udon Thani City Police Station.
Pol. Col. Patanawong Janphon, Superintendent of Udon Thani City Police Station, stated that police have divided responsibilities into two main zones: inside and around the World Horticultural Expo area. Event security guards serve as the primary force, supported closely by patrol and traffic officers through a forward operations center at the event entrance. Inside the venue, over 100 high-definition CCTV cameras monitor both indoor and outdoor areas.
Meanwhile, the latest AI camera technology from the Central Investigation Bureau, previously used at bus and train stations, has been installed at screening points for entry and exit at the expo. These cameras scan faces of individuals with warrants or under surveillance in real time to prevent them from causing harm.
Furthermore, the Udon Thani City Police have collaborated with surrounding local administrative organizations such as Nong Samrong Municipality, Nong Bua Subdistrict Municipality, and Ban Chan Subdistrict Municipality to install more than 33 high-resolution license plate recognition cameras along main and secondary roads. These can identify vehicle registrations, owners, colors, and types of every vehicle entering the city.
The monitoring center at Udon Thani City Police is split into two locations: the main center on the fourth floor and the investigative operations room. Besides crime prevention, suppression, and traffic regulation, members of the public or tourists who experience accidents or become crime victims can immediately request CCTV footage to aid in case investigations.