Suvarnabhumi Airport Security To Be Reviewed After Criminal Escapes

[webfact]

Airport security to be reviewed after criminal escapes
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An investigation is under way into security flaws at Suvarnabhumi Airport after an accused German criminal escaped via an airport fire exit while transiting during extradition from Australia earlier this month.

On May 15, German national Carlo Konstantin Kohl escaped his police escort while waiting to transit through the airport en route to Germany.

Security cameras showed the man fleeing a room where he was being held while his two guards were asleep at about 4.30am the day after his arrival.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) chairman Sita Divari said yesterday AOT would attempt to identify all weaknesses in the security system at the airport following the incident.

He said more measures would be added.


-- The Nation 2013-05-28

[BookMan]

The first weakness seems clear. The two security guards being asleep is a clue.

[Thai at Heart]

They only just discovered this flaw now?

[NongKhaiKid]

I notice the article didn't say which nationality the guards were and i suspect if they were the German escorts this point would have been played up. I wonder too where the room he was held in was located, surely in a secure area but ...TIT.

[chrisinth]

I notice the article didn't say which nationality the guards were and i suspect if they were the German escorts this point would have been played up. I wonder too where the room he was held in was located, surely in a secure area but ...TIT.

It was strange that in the last topic about this, it was stated that the Thai authorities were not informed of this transit. But now they are stating that he escaped from a room (possibly lounge?) where both his escorts were asleep and disappeared through the fire exit.

That he could exit a so called secure area (transit) is certainly an issue for AOT, a bigger issue would be the conduct of the escorts.

Does anyone know if escort duties for prisoners are covered by third party companies now, or is it the responsibility of the police from the extraditing country or receiving country?

[OzMick]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

[chooka]

I notice the article didn't say which nationality the guards were and i suspect if they were the German escorts this point would have been played up. I wonder too where the room he was held in was located, surely in a secure area but ...TIT.

I would say they were German. They would have attended Australian courts for the extradition hearing and then the courts would place the defendant into the custody of Germany.

[NongKhaiKid]

I notice the article didn't say which nationality the guards were and i suspect if they were the German escorts this point would have been played up. I wonder too where the room he was held in was located, surely in a secure area but ...TIT.

I would say they were German. They would have attended Australian courts for the extradition hearing and then the courts would place the defendant into the custody of Germany.

IN Channel, admittedly not always the most accurate, are saying they were German civilians hired by Australia. This is strange as in my experience the country that seeks the extradition supplies the escorts.

[scorecard]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

Surely all fire exit doors would be wired to a central control panel, possibly with cameras, so that when these doors are opened security personnel can quickly identify specific areas for fast check for fire or other danger, or criminal activity?

Edited May 28, 2013 by scorecard

[OzMick]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

Surely all fire exit doors would be wired to a central control panel, possibly with cameras, so that when these doors are opened security personnel can quickly identify specific areas for fast check for fire or other danger, or criminal activity?

TIT

[chooka]

I notice the article didn't say which nationality the guards were and i suspect if they were the German escorts this point would have been played up. I wonder too where the room he was held in was located, surely in a secure area but ...TIT.

I would say they were German. They would have attended Australian courts for the extradition hearing and then the courts would place the defendant into the custody of Germany.

IN Channel, admittedly not always the most accurate, are saying they were German civilians hired by Australia. This is strange as in my experience the country that seeks the extradition supplies the escorts.

Sounds a little strange as the german authorities would have to be at court for thier extradition application and once the court has given the order then he is Germany's problem and why should the Aussie taxpayer hire gaurds and transport him? He is no longer in Australian custody after the extradition order. I few years back I was in court for an extradition hearing for a british guy wanted for rape. I wasn't directly involved in the case but I escorted the defendant from the watch house to the court and maintained security during the hearing. At the conclusion the Judge then stated I now order that the defendant be placed into the custody of the british authorities. When transporting the defendant back to the watch house we were accompanied by a British officer as he was now thier responsibilty and they signed for him, we just drove the vehicle.

Edited May 28, 2013 by chooka

[A Member]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

This story becomes more amazing with every minute. IN Channel news reported that he disabled the door alarm system himself and simply walked out through the airport being seen on security cameras. Can anyone suggest how much of a knowledge of the airport electrics that would need ?

[simple1]

BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

[chooka]

BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

Well that is fair enough then, deportation is slightly different from extradition. The security were probably G4S (Group 4) who normally handle prisoner transports and movements. (outsourcing)

[lomatopo]

Bangkok:

Two Australian security guards were asleep at Bangkok airport when a criminal convicted of serious offences in Australia who they were guarding slipped away unnoticed through a fire exit door, an investigation has found. The botched escort of 25-year-old German-born Carlo Konstantin Kohl by the security guards contracted by the Immigration Department has angered Thai authorities, who said they were not informed of his arrival in Thailand.

Kohl, who had served three years' jail in Queensland on drug, theft and other charges, was being escorted from Australia to Germany on Thai Airways flights that transited through Bangkok. He disappeared in the early hours of May 16 but Thai authorities did not tell the department in Canberra until eight days later that he could not be found in the airport's secure area.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/australian-guards-slept-as-criminal-fled-20130528-2n8gv.html

[chooka]

So has anyone checked Pattaya?

[BookMan]

BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

>BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

Well that is fair enough then, deportation is slightly different from extradition. The security were probably G4S (Group 4) who normally handle prisoner transports and movements. (outsourcing)

From the Sydney Morning Herald

Bangkok: Two Australian security guards were asleep at Bangkok airport when a criminal convicted of serious offences in Australia who they were guarding slipped away unnoticed through a fire exit door, an investigation has found.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/australian-guards-slept-as-criminal-fled-20130528-2n8gv.html

[Payboy]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

This story becomes more amazing with every minute. IN Channel news reported that he disabled the door alarm system himself and simply walked out through the airport being seen on security cameras. Can anyone suggest how much of a knowledge of the airport electrics that would need ?

Considering TIT, there could be myriad possibilities such as [1] there was no door alarm installed, or [2] the alarm doesn't actually work a la GT200, or [3] the alarm sounded and no one gave a damn.

[A Member]

BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

IN Channel said they were German civilian staff hired by Australia which just doesn't fit. Germans hired by Germany yes because Australia was finished with him and he became the problem of the country seeking his extradition.

As is so often the case news agencies rush to get things out before another agency scoops them so facts and accuracy aren't important.

[creekside]

Irregardless of any security review it conducts, Airports of Thailand have already stated their position and that is, not matter what happened, it was someone else's fault.

OP link:
The AoT has refused to accept responsibility for the man's escape.

Good to see that exoneration from culpability put out there from the git go as its beginning to look like a number of AOT actions certainly contributed to the German felon's current status of whereabouts unknown.

[chooka]

BKK Post reports that the two security guards were Australian civilian security staff, hired in Australia. The guy was deported from Australia after serving a prison sentence for robbery. It is claimed he exited after disabling an alarm at a fire exit in the G concourse.

IN Channel said they were German civilian staff hired by Australia which just doesn't fit. Germans hired by Germany yes because Australia was finished with him and he became the problem of the country seeking his extradition.

As is so often the case news agencies rush to get things out before another agency scoops them so facts and accuracy aren't important.

I think what needs to be clarified is was it extradition as the "Nation" are reporting or was it deportation as refered in the Australian media. As it was the Australian immigration department removing him after his prison sentence then that would indicate it was a deportation and the "Nation" quite possibly have thier facts wrong

[chooka]

The first weakness seems clear. The two security guards being asleep is a clue.

Quite true and the laxed security at a major international airport, where anyone can just wonder around in restricted areas of the Tourist "HUB" and the National Pride of Thailand.

Let's not ignore the Brits, that would be rude after all Serco is a British company and this is the 2nd time in a week that they have lost people..

Just kidding people no offence meant

[dangman]

the sydney morning herald is one of the most trusted newspapers in the world.

they don't short cut. and if they aren't sure, they'll say so.

seems it was sort of both deportation and extradition.. as he was wanted on charges in germany..
although i'm not really sure that if you are returning back to your home country that extradition is the right word..

Edited May 28, 2013 by dangman

[chooka]

the sydney morning herald is one of the most trusted newspapers in the world.

they don't short cut. and if they aren't sure, they'll say so.

seems it was sort of both deportation and extradition.. as he was wanted on charges in germany..

although i'm not really sure that if you are returning back to your home country that extradition is the right word..

I did read that he is wanted in Germany and as he was being deported, the german authorities probably felt there was no need for a formal extradition order as they could just arrest him when he lands. Had it been an extradition then he would be in the custody of authorities and not rent a cop security gaurds.

The Nations story should actually read "escaped via an airport fire exit while transiting during extradition deportation from Australia."

Anyway the bright side is he is no longer in Australia and one more farang on the run, hiding out in Thailand, is not really going to upset the balance. He will probably make some very good friends, shack up with a bargirl and live happily ever after. All he needs to do is find a source of income.

Edited May 28, 2013 by chooka

[OzMick]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

This story becomes more amazing with every minute. IN Channel news reported that he disabled the door alarm system himself and simply walked out through the airport being seen on security cameras. Can anyone suggest how much of a knowledge of the airport electrics that would need ?

The alarm at the door would only be a micro-switch which can be wired 2 ways. The cheap way is closing the switch allowing a current to set off alarm, and could be disabled by removing the voltage source ie cutting the wire, or pulling it out. the better way is a constant current to keep the alarm off, so power loss sets the alarm, either from opening the door or cutting the wire. That's a bit more expensive, but much more secure.

BUT if you are securing a transit lounge, the most likely security breach is someone entering the country illegally with or without contraband. So you put the switch on the outside of the door, out of reach of sneaky fingers.

If the report re aircrew is correct, and this has been a regular occurrence, you can bet your bippy that will be kept quiet as it is an admission security has more holes than a Swiss cheese.

[Payboy]

the sydney morning herald is one of the most trusted newspapers in the world.

they don't short cut. and if they aren't sure, they'll say so.

seems it was sort of both deportation and extradition.. as he was wanted on charges in germany..

although i'm not really sure that if you are returning back to your home country that extradition is the right word..

I did read that he is wanted in Germany and as he was being deported, the german authorities probably felt there was no need for a formal extradition order as they could just arrest him when he lands. Had it been an extradition then he would be in the custody of authorities and not rent a cop security gaurds.

The Nations story should actually read "escaped via an airport fire exit while transiting during extradition deportation from Australia."

Anyway the bright side is he is no longer in Australia and one more farang on the run, hiding out in Thailand, is not really going to upset the balance. He will probably make some very good friends, shack up with a bargirl and live happily ever after. All he needs to do is find a source of income.

As he's a German native, I guess he'll be teaching English in no time.

[Morakot]

More on the escape story here: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/australian-guards-slept-as-criminal-fled-20130528-2n8gv.html and about the actual conviction here: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/opal-bandits-sentenced-to-nine-years-in-prison/1561778/

[monty1412]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

Im not with you on this.. why would aircrew risk their job by going around security especially as they receive preferential treatment anyway and especially when they have to have pre clearance in place in every airport they fly to and from.. where did this mythical notion of aircrew using the fire escape come from

[chrisinth]

Just read in the 'other' English newspaper here that the escorts were Australian civilian guards employed by Aussie authorities to bring Herr Kohl back to Germany. (Perhaps immigrated ex-Group 4 members from UK......... )

The article also states that it was Kohl disconnected the electrical supply to the fire escape door, making the alarm disabled as well as the ID card swipe unit used for legitimate access. It took AOT staff three days to discover this, despite having CCTV coverage of how he had escaped.

This is one big omelette thrown into the wall fan; massive egg on everyones faces that have been involved..................

Edited May 28, 2013 by chrisinth

[OzMick]

One article mentioned that he followed airline staff through a fire door which had its alarm disconnected. IMHO aircrew have found a way to bypass immigration, this could have been happening for some time, and security inspections (if any) haven't detected this, or tolerated it.

Aircrew quite likely have been doing this for their own convenience but it can't be assumed some didn't have other motives, and all using this bypass should face disciplinary measures. More importantly, there needs to be a serious revision of airport security measures. Security alarms and cameras need to be checked and monitored on a regular basis.

Im not with you on this.. why would aircrew risk their job by going around security especially as they receive preferential treatment anyway and especially when they have to have pre clearance in place in every airport they fly to and from.. where did this mythical notion of aircrew using the fire escape come from

One of the related articles said that he followed air crew through the door. Can't remember whether it was TVF or BP.