Security-lapse As Asylum Seeker Bypasses Security, Boards Airliner At Suvarnabhumi

[george]

Security-lapse as asylum seeker bypasses security, boards airliner at Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK: -- Airports of Thailand (AoT), the authority that administers state-owned airports, accepted evidence of security failures at the country's showcase Suvarnabhumi International Airport after a Myanmar national avoided security measures and secretly boarded a Turkish aircraft, AoT President Air Vice-Marshal Chana Yusathaporn said Thursday.

A young man from Myanmar, 27-year-old Su Aung, who said he wished to seek political asylum in a third-country, cut airport runway fencing and walked to a parked Turkish airliner on Tuesday evening.

Marshal Chana said he had ordered AoT security and its private contractor providing safety and security at Suvarnabhumi Airport to step up their surveillance and safety measures, and to be more alert.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um said he had ordered AoT to investigate the security lapses to determine who would be responsible for the flaws as the security measures in aviation area was considered the highest priority.

The incident happened after dark, at 9.30 pm on January 22 as the aircraft's doors and gangways were open. Mr. Su Aung cut three tiers of fencing walling off the runway. He then slipped into an aircraft which was parked at taxi lane waiting to take off around midnight.

Airline engineers on a routine inspection of the plane found him sitting an a passenger seat, and took him to the police.

Su Aung, who was charged with night-time trespassing, said he wished to seek asylum in a third country.

--TNA 2008-01-24

[lazeeboy]

the sercurity were planning there next tea money scam i presume

[sriracha john]

AoT: Security loopholes abound at new airport

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) admitted that security at Suvarnabhumi Airport is too lax after a Burmese national managed to slip past authorities and board a Turkish airliner. According to eyewitnesses, the 27-year-old man ran across the airport’s runway unnoticed before boarding a Turkish airliner due to depart at 24:15hrs on Jan 22. The man was later held by authorities after a technical engineer discovered that he was not on the passenger list. Following the incident, Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um urged the AoT to immediately plug security loopholes at the airport to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again in the future. Authorities found out during an interrogation with the 27-year-old Burmese man that he was

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=125425

[TAWP]

As have been previously stated, airplane security is about 'face'. All over the world. There is no such thing as a 'safe' airplane ride. But by pretending they are doing everything they can (by banning toe-nail clippers and baby formula containers) to 'make sure' we are 'safe' we will continue to travel no-matter what happened in the past 'before they did the security improvements'.

[happyjackthe4th]

can always do what the British Airports asscociation have done, you can not bring any form of drink past Airside Security, But when you have passed security You can 'Miracuosly' buy any drink at one of the Shops , at 3 times the price , By sheer coincidence they own

[baabaabobo]

There is a story within a story here. I must say I feel rather sorry for the Burmese chap who was desperate enough to attempt this method to seek asylum. With so many Thais losing face they will not be kind to him. Still his welcome in Turkey wouldn't have been pleasant either if that's where the plane was heading.

[njpski]

As have been previously stated, airplane security is about 'face'. All over the world. There is no such thing as a 'safe' airplane ride. But by pretending they are doing everything they can (by banning toe-nail clippers and baby formula containers) to 'make sure' we are 'safe' we will continue to travel no-matter what happened in the past 'before they did the security improvements'.

Then on the plane you get a plastic knife but a real solid metal fork!

a friend's nail clippers were allowed on the plane after the tiny nail file was broken off!

meanwhile some countries are doing everything they can to alienate people who end up blowing things up

aaah - security and freedom, i remember when we had both

[britmaveric]

Hmmm we always get real silver wear in the Business and First Class.

[leebeeUK]

And I've been looking for a reasonably priced flight to visit England... Cost of a pair of a wire-cutters seems pretty reasonable to me!!

[Scott]

At it's best, about the only thing that security can do is act as a deterrent. At Suvanabhumi the problem is the lack of discipline among the guards, whom I've seen sleeping, eating and paying absolutely no attention.

It's a bit scary that someone could actually make it INTO the plane.

[PhilHarries]

Su Aung, who was charged with night-time trespassing, said he wished to seek asylum in a third country.

--TNA 2008-01-24

Can anyone explain the difference, other than the obvious, between night-time and day-time trespassing and which is the more serious offence?

[jayjayjayjay]

Hmmm we always get real silver wear in the Business and First Class.

Yes but your average terror suspect would definitely be flying coach!!!!!!!! He'd have to break through the curtain, leap over your elbow-rest mid dinner and wrestle the fork from your grip!!! Given the difficulty of passing the curtain, potential chaffing of the curtain around his neck and the likelihood you will fight dearly for the fork given the wonderful quality of airline food, this scenerio is most unlikely!!!

[TAWP]

Afaik, some of the 9/11-hijackers flew on more expensive tickets...

[nothingleftbutfaith]

Hmmm we always get real silver wear in the Business and First Class.

Yes but your average terror suspect would definitely be flying coach!!!!!!!! He'd have to break through the curtain, leap over your elbow-rest mid dinner and wrestle the fork from your grip!!! Given the difficulty of passing the curtain, potential chaffing of the curtain around his neck and the likelihood you will fight dearly for the fork given the wonderful quality of airline food, this scenerio is most unlikely!!!

Wrong . The 9/11 perpretators were flying 1st class.

[Scott]

Did they pay cash for the tickets or did they put them on a credit card? Did they purchase the supplemental life-insurance policy, I wonder.

[Basil B]

There is a story within a story here. I must say I feel rather sorry for the Burmese chap who was desperate enough to attempt this method to seek asylum. With so many Thais losing face they will not be kind to him. Still his welcome in Turkey wouldn't have been pleasant either if that's where the plane was heading.

If he is really seeking "Political Asylum" why not seek asylum in Thailand, I am not doubting there are very many who are being persecuted by the repressive junta in Burma, but many are just plain economic migrants who will pass through a safe country to get to one that has a higher standard of living.

Just surprised the guy mistakenly got on a Turkish instead of a BA plane?

BB

[BigSnake]

A Breach of basis security and some of our workers(Air Hostess) are worry about a dumb TV soap. AMAZING!!

[Payboy]

don't think he was an intruder.....definitely must be a leftover from this group......