Baggage handlers arrested over thefts at Phuket airport

[webfact]

Baggage handlers arrested over thefts at Phuket airport

By Salinee Prap 
The Nation

 

 

Police arrested two worker at the Phuket International Airport and their alleged accomplice over the theft of passengers’ belongings, said Sakhu Police Station superintendent Pol Colonel Jirasak Siamsak on Sunday.

 

Nirut Saksri, 29, and Manoch Nakphojit, 30, and alleged accomplice Chakrit Chanprasert, 23, were arrested and some 100 stolen items recovered, including computer notebooks, cell phones, imported whiskey, wristwatches, sunglasses and ornaments.

 

 

The arrest follows a complaint filed by an airline that passengers’ valuables had been going missing from luggage since late last month. 

 

The three men, all from Phichit province, reportedly confessed to have stolen tourists’ belongings while they were carrying luggage onto airplanes and also bought stolen items from others.

 

Jirasak said charges of theft in airport and possessing stolen items would be filed after the investigation was completed. Meanwhile Nirut and Manoch were charged with conspiring to bring items into the Kingdom without passing through a custom’s procedure and possession of marijuana, while Chakrit was charged with possessing “yaba” pills, Jirasak said.

 

Police and airport officials have conducted random checks on workers who handle luggage and arrests have occasionally been made.

 

 Luggage theft was difficult to detect because most stolen items were small commodity goods and so passengers did not bother to file complaints or were not aware that items were missing, Jirasak said.

 

 

He said that random checking of luggage-handling workers had some affect in preventing thefts and so police would increase random checks. They would also educate luggage handlers and business operators about punishment for crimes of theft and the negative impacts it has on the island province’s tourism.

 

Jirasak said police would invite airline representatives to view the 100 seized items at the precinct to see if they matched reports filed by their passengers.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30336785

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-22

[cornishcarlos]

That's why I only ever take carry on luggage when flying in Thailand, if possible...

It's about time they started arresting these thieves, it's been a well known problem for a long time !!!

Edited January 21, 2018 by cornishcarlos

[MadMuhammad]

The best way to avoid just this sort of crime is avoid putting valuables in check in luggage and invest in a decent case with a lock, preferably with the facility to add a padlock. Otherwise it’s the same as leaving your laptop, watch etc in your unlocked car and walking away 

Edited January 21, 2018 by MadMuhammad

[Aussieroaming]

Thieving little toads.

[mok199]

this crime not only tarnishes the airline  ..it tarnishes Phuket and Thailand as a whole...''hang em high''

[Darcula]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

random checking of luggage-handling workers

 

Shouldn't they be subjected to the same security screening as passengers before they are allowed airside? If they can take things out of luggage, they could just as easily put things inside luggage.

[steven100]

Always carry on and with a small padlock attached,  or If bags being checked in always have proper locks on / secure  ... 

[nausea]

Baggage handlers and theft, goes together like bait and fish.

[Classic Ray]

I know someone who would be grateful for a few watches to replace those he has to return to his friends!

[Old Croc]

 

[jerry921]

Those first pictures are a good reference for examples of what not to put in checked bags: sunglasses and regular glasses are surprising to me, the electronics, watches, all kinds of computer parts and peripherals aren't, but they even stole cheap webcams!

 

I thought that you couldn't lock your luggage because they had to be able to inspect it if something funny showed up on the xray.

 

And I guess that means I don't understand the point of the plastic wrap business either, except as a tell-tale. Or is it supposed to help if they drop your luggage in a puddle loading it onto the plane?

 

 

Edited January 22, 2018 by jerry921

[FitnessHealthTravel]

Again! We read this every year. Surely there is some staff screening process.

[LivinginKata]

I cannot believe that passengers pack electronics and expensive items in checked-in bags. Are they stupid ... 

[watcharacters]

1 hour ago, jerry921 said:

Those first pictures are a good reference for examples of what not to put in checked bags: sunglasses and regular glasses are surprising to me, the electronics, watches, all kinds of computer parts and peripherals aren't, but they even stole cheap webcams!

 

I thought that you couldn't lock your luggage because they had to be able to inspect it if something funny showed up on the xray.

 

And I guess that means I don't understand the point of the plastic wrap business either, except as a tell-tale. Or is it supposed to help if they drop your luggage in a puddle loading it onto the plane?

 

 

 

 

 

"I thought that you couldn't lock your luggage because they had to be able to inspect it if something funny showed up on the xray."

 

Last I knew baggage can be locked but only with an approved TSA  lock.

 

But as with any security if a perp wants into something they will find the means to do so.

 

 

[wavemanwww]

I'm going to Thailand again soon. This time I'll check in a bag full of unwashed undies  plus toiletries only. Oh and an Australian Brown snake just to be sure!

[Valentine]

I am aghast there is no mention of having any CCTV in the baggage handling area, not only to catch thieves but to spot someone putting something like a bomb into a suitcase.

[petermik]

On 1/22/2018 at 12:11 AM, mok199 said:

this crime not only tarnishes the airline  ..it tarnishes Phuket and Thailand as a whole...''hang em high''

Phuket and Thailand have been tarnished for quite some time.......nothing new