20 August 2009

Thai PM moves on airport scams

BANGKOK - Thailandââ¬â¢s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has ordered officials to resolve all scams at Suvarnabhumi Airport and restore confidence among foreign tourists.

TTR Online reported that the PM inspected the countryââ¬â¢s gateway airport last Saturday and filmed the event for his weekly broadcast to the Thai people.

Viewers watched the PM tour the airport and ask pointed questions about the alleged scams that are plaguing the airport and damaging the countryââ¬â¢s reputation.

Mr Abhisit spared no-one during the one-hour inspection, said TTR.

He called for an overhaul of security at duty-free shops and believes reports that a variety of scams are flourishing at the airport.

Problems identified included:

Entrapment ââ¬' departing passengers are falsely accused of shoplifting at duty free shops and forced to pay substantial cash to gain their release.

Unlicensed taxi drivers flourish, and there are accusations that even official taxis are a security risk. Recent TV news reports focused on accusations that rogue taxi drivers attempt to introduce a sleep-inducing drug to the air-conditioning while transferring to the city. The allegations are being investigated by the Land Transport Department.

Baggage theft in secure areas involves airport ground handling employees. Pilfering checked-in luggage is rampant.

Shoplifting scams involving illegal use of foreign interpreters and volunteers inserted into an official police investigation. They are assigned by police in direct contravention of the countryââ¬â¢s labour law

Illegal sale of limousine transfers and tours sold openly in the baggage clearance area, before the customs checks, despite letters of complaints from travel agency associations to the AoT.

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• New Airport - Old Scams
  
  

  It is disappointing, that after a 40 year developement and planning phase, that little has changed with respect to passenger safety. If these blatant breaches of air-side security exist passengers are forced to ask just how safe are flights emanating from BKK with respect to terrorist attacks, high-jacking and bombing. BKK has a very short-time to clean up its act as there are new airports vying for the mantle of regional hub such as SaiGon's new Dong Nai International Airport as well as Singapore's Changi.

  By J Hewson, Sunday, August 23, 2009