AoT enlists support to tackle airport woes

       Airports of Thailand Plc is calling on state security agencies to draw up new measures to deal with problems at Suvarnabhumi airport including baggage theft and alleged extortion of tourists.
       AoT president Serirat Prasutanond said the agencies were expected to come up with their proposals and submit them to AoT executives on Thursday.
       Mr Serirat yesterday met representatives from the police, customs and King Power, the operator of the dutyfree complex at the airport, to discuss the problems dogging Suvarnabhumi.
       The meeting came on the heels of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit to the airport on Saturday to gather information first-hand on the troubles plaguing the airport.
       Foreign media outlets have reported in recent weeks on a number of foreign travellers being accused of shoplifting at the airport and held by police until they paid a bribe to secure their freedom.
       The airport is under the jurisdiction of Rachathewa police station.
       It was also reported tourists claimed to have been fined for breaking customs regulations for possessing more than one carton of cigarettes or one bottle of liquor.
       Mr Serirat said the proposed new guidelines would be forwarded to the Transport Ministry and the prime minister for approval.
       Mr Serirat said signs would probably be put up telling tourists when they are leaving the duty-free area and warning them to pay up for all items before leaving to avoid being arrested for shoplifting.
       He said a police office on the third floor would berenovated and equipped with the tools needed to facilitate police work so suspects would not have to leave the airport.
       Niran Thiranartsin, the airport director, said passengers were regularly fined for possessing more than the permitted amount of cigarettes and alcohol.
       In most cases, the cigarettes and alcohol were not purchased at the airport.
       Fines could be imposed if passengers were found in possession of more than the permitted amount.
       Mr Niran said customs and revenue authorities would have to come up with better regulations to deal with such cases.
       Pratheep Vijitho, the airport's deputy director for operations, said the two contracted operators handling passenger luggage at the airport would be required to employ better measures to prevent luggage thefts.
       The two are Thai Airways International and Bangkok Flight Services Co.
       More security cameras will be installed in the sorting area.
       He said the measures were expected to take effect on Sept 1.