Lax airport security finally addressed

[Braveheart]

Extracted from the Bangkok Post: Bangkok Post

 

Security at Suvarnabhumi airport has been tightened for the first time, in an effort to reach international anti-terrorist standards a week after the deadly bomb attacks in Bangkok.

 

The tightening of security at the new airport east of Bangkok came after action by an agitated deputy secretary-general of the Council for National Security (CNS) Saprang Kalayanamitr, who also is chairman of Airports of Thailand Pcl.

 

On Friday, Gen Saprang publicly dressed down the security operation at Suvarnabhumi, and ordered that security at the new showcase airport be made the equal of other, terrorist-targeted airports in Europe and the US.

 

Security officers inspected passengers and staff, while scanners monitored suspicious and mundane baggage and parcels alike. Moreover trained dogs patrolled every floor and area of the airport.

 

Meanwhile, a committee is investigating whether the Loxley-ICTS consortium, which won the concession to run security at Suvarnabhumi airport, has breached terms of the contract in its deploying of guards there.

 

Gen Saprang has already warned that the contract might be reviewed should the company fail to meet security requirements.

 

It was found that the concessionaire had violated the security contract in the past, and AOT fined it at 2,000 baht per person missing and per shift.

 

Plans are in motion to install another160 closed circuit cameras at the airport. Presently, more than 300 such cameras are already in place. (TNA)