AOT explains Premium Lane cards distribution

[webfact]

AOT explains Premium Lane cards distribution

 

   

BANGKOK, 2 May 2019 (NNT) - After a widespread rumor citing corruption with the distribution of Premium Lane cards at Suvarnabhumi Airport allegedly sold to regular passengers via tour operators or nominees, Airports of Thailand has denied any involvement in such a scheme, confirming it only provides special security screening services to eligible passengers.

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Wing Commander Suthirawat Suwanawat has confirmed Airports of Thailand and Suvarnabhumi Airport have no involvement with any corruption affecting the Premium Lane cards fast-track security and immigration service vouchers, adding that the airport is only responsible for providing some facilitation in immigration areas, as the immigration areas are within the supervision of the responsible security agency.

 

He said related agencies are investigating the matter, while the airport will from now deploy security agents to check the eligibility of passengers using Premium Lane services intended for passengers in First and Business class, diplomats, crew members, and passengers with special needs such as elders and persons with disabilities.

 

-- © Copyright nnt 2019-05-02

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[Misterwhisper]

Isn't that so typical? Nobody wants to be responsible for having perpetuated this money-making scheme or know anything about it, yet there is not a shred of doubt that tour companies, "agents" and even internet sites have been peddling these vouchers en masse left and right.

 

The AOT blames the Immigration Bureau.. and Immigration plays the blame ball right back to AOT in a sort of cat and mouse game that will lead nowhere.

 

What system is in place to produce and distribute these vouchers and what tracking process has been implemented to trace who receives them and how they are being dispensed? The vouchers surely must bear serial numbers that should be on record, no?

 

  

[Oziex1]

Love it, nobodies corrupt in one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

[overherebc]

Happy if they check if you are entitled to use over 70 or business class lane.

All they have to check is your DOB or your boarding pass.

If either are found wrong go to the end of the snake line and as they say in russia

Tufski Sh-tski.

[Fex Bluse]

Seems like it's all just a "misunderstanding", as always. I'm sure they had good, pure intentions. ????

[Chelseafan]

10 hours ago, overherebc said:

Happy if they check if you are entitled to use over 70 or business class lane.

All they have to check is your DOB or your boarding pass.

If either are found wrong go to the end of the snake line and as they say in russia

Tufski Sh-tski.

I don't think you DOB is on your boarding pass but they can check the ticket to see if it says Business or First. If you're over 70 show them your passport.

 

[gunderhill]

6 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

They'd steal the sugar out of your tea and try to sell it back to you afterwards.

In  a chocolate cup  if  they  could!

[YetAnother]

14 hours ago, webfact said:

has denied any involvement in such a scheme,

Who said thailand wasn't good at anything?, experts at denials

[mikebell]

Check the bank accounts of those in charge on both sides of the fence.  I'll bet both are inflated beyond their salary level.

[overherebc]

4 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

I don't think you DOB is on your boarding pass but they can check the ticket to see if it says Business or First. If you're over 70 show them your passport.

 

I'll type it slowly this time.

DOB 'or' boarding card.

[Borzandy]

The yellow shirt man in the pic is not corrupted, he is only yellow.

[saminoz]

I really don't see the issue.  If they can offer a premium service to allow people who want to pay the extra to use the less crowded immigation lanes for a fee, why not?

As long as the revenues are accounted for correctly.

Anything that lessens the queues in the regular lanes is a good thing.

If they admistered it properly, it could actualy be a legitimate revenue earner and fill the gap between the sometimes extortionate business clss fares and the dreadful experience of the visa on arrival/regular immigration queues.

[Tonyt00]

Good idea, keep the lines long, so more people will opt for the premium service! 

[overherebc]

17 minutes ago, Tonyt00 said:

Good idea, keep the lines long, so more people will opt for the premium service! 

Then when those lines get long everybody will go back to the usual lines.

Just drop the TM 6 idea  and get more auto-gate systems in place.

Yes I can see the flaws in my post.

[madmitch]

The headline states "AOT explains Premium Lane cards distribution" yet the article contailns no explanation whatsoever!

[yellowboat]

Crappy duty free, disgruntle IO's and this new low for AOT.  It will swept under the carpet like so many of these things. 

[klauskunkel]

AOT: Today we deny to explain, tomorrow we explain the denial

[Orton Rd]

I still have the address of the person I bought mine from and his web site is still there, they cannot be 'investigating' very hard

[overherebc]

11 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

They'd steal the sugar out of your tea and try to sell it back to you afterwards.

You must have met my granny.

That was her favourite saying.

????????????

[emptypockets]

2 hours ago, saminoz said:

I really don't see the issue.  If they can offer a premium service to allow people who want to pay the extra to use the less crowded immigation lanes for a fee, why not?

As long as the revenues are accounted for correctly.

Anything that lessens the queues in the regular lanes is a good thing.

If they admistered it properly, it could actualy be a legitimate revenue earner and fill the gap between the sometimes extortionate business clss fares and the dreadful experience of the visa on arrival/regular immigration queues.

Then there should be a third immigration line for those that buy the service. The premium lane should remain for business class and others who qualify without extra payments.  Business class is for people who need to get things done..... and need to be somewhere quickly...... Usually and have paid for that privilege already. 

Not saying that everyone else should go through the normal lines ( which on my last few visits through Swampy)  have been a breeze - 10 minutes Max wait time. If someone wants to pay extra,  then open a dedicated line for them. I don't think business class features should be given to people who don't fly business class.  Just my opinion of course.

[Caldera]

Well I'm glad that they've clarified it. Squeaky clean as expected.

[Redline]

Please give time to make up an unbelievable story ????????

[gunderhill]

6 hours ago, saminoz said:

why not?

Give  immigration an excuse to work even more slowly forcing all to use the "fast track"  which would then become the slow  track.

[Chelseafan]

7 hours ago, emptypockets said:

Then there should be a third immigration line for those that buy the service. The premium lane should remain for business class and others who qualify without extra payments.  Business class is for people who need to get things done..... and need to be somewhere quickly...... Usually and have paid for that privilege already. 

Not saying that everyone else should go through the normal lines ( which on my last few visits through Swampy)  have been a breeze - 10 minutes Max wait time. If someone wants to pay extra,  then open a dedicated line for them. I don't think business class features should be given to people who don't fly business class.  Just my opinion of course.

That's what is is now. Even if you pay for a service like BFS meet and greet, they will escort you to the appopiate lane, i.e. standard for economy and fast track for business & first. There's the additional lane for VIP/Thai First class also.

 

The problem is that SOMEONE is selling FTs to economy passengers. A simple solution would be for the IO at the Fasttrack lane to check the flight ticket. Very seldom do they do this

 

Edited May 3, 2019 by Chelseafan