Police Bust Airport Theft Ring

[george]

Police bust airport theft ring

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Police and officials of the Airport of Thailand said today they have broken up an airport gang that was stealing items from travellers suitcases and selling them to Rangsit department stores.

In a press release that was almost free of facts, AoT managing director Chotisak Asupwiriya nevertheless assured the public that travel is now safer because of the breakup of the ring.

The release did not say if anyone was arrested, where the gang was working, or whether gang members were either allied with, or part of the customs and security departments at the airport.

Indeed Mr Chotisak raised more questions than he answered when he said that breaking up the gang would result in better security, "not only to prevent stolen goods, but to guard against explosives and narcotics."

Critics and security experts have long questioned the effectiveness of anti-terrorist and anti-hijacking operations at the airport.

According to the official release, the 2nd Metropolitan Police Bureau and AoT smashed the burglary ring, and recovered property apparently stolen from travellers, including numerous camcorders, cameras and laptop computers.

"The items were found in department stores in the Rangsit area," said the press release.

Mr Chotisak promised to upgrade security and to add more security officers.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-06

[astral]

According to the official release, the 2nd Metropolitan Police Bureau and AoT smashed the burglary ring, and recovered property apparently stolen from travellers, including numerous camcorders, cameras and laptop computers.

Bangkok Post 2006-04-06

How stupid can people get?

Items like this should NEVER be packed in checked luggage.

Bring back the plastic bands they used to put round checked bagage, then these thieves

would not have a chance, not matter how stupid the passenger is.

[sriracha john]

from the television news, it looked like quite a haul with dozens of laptops and whole buffet tables full of cameras, etc.

strange, or maybe not so strange, that they haven't given any more information regarding the cases.

[chuchok]

How easy would it be to set somebody up?

[Maejo Man]

How easy would it be to set somebody up?

Thats why now you answer the question of "did you pack this case yourself sir, and are you aware of the comtents?" with "I was aware of the contents at the time of packing, and when it was checked in"

[Nordlys]

I once found my compact CD player that I put in a checked-in luggage missing after arriving home from Bangkok. It was almost twenty years ago though.

[britmaveric]

Checked Suitcases are for clothing and nothing of value.

[Axel]

Checked Suitcases are for clothing and nothing of value.

Basically, you are right. But where to store all the stuff that you do not need in the plane?

These days carriers are quite strict with carry-ons. And right so,I do not want to have a seat neighbour with all the extras carried on board and blocking the space under the seats as well as the upper bins.

Places like HKG they sent you back to check in your hand luggage if it does not fit in the frame provided before going to immigration. 7 kgs for taking on board and that includes duty free items.

[britmaveric]

Axel - well always carry my electronics/jewelry with me, apart from that I don't see what else would be worth knicking. Allowed 2 carry-ons and 1 personal item, least with Star Alliance. (normally only use one carry-on and personal item)

Edited April 6, 2006 by britmaveric

[Cheeky Farang]

Checked Suitcases are for clothing and nothing of value.

Basically, you are right. But where to store all the stuff that you do not need in the plane?

These days carriers are quite strict with carry-ons. And right so,I do not want to have a seat neighbour with all the extras carried on board and blocking the space under the seats as well as the upper bins.

Places like HKG they sent you back to check in your hand luggage if it does not fit in the frame provided before going to immigration. 7 kgs for taking on board and that includes duty free items.

With my suitcases, apart from a good pad-lock (even those can be opened, have you ever seen how many keys open even the best suitcase locks) I always thread a cable tie through the bag clips and pull it tight and cut the ends off. If my bag has been opened I will know and if it had I would never collect it from the carousel just in case some one had added stuff to the contents. To date the cable ties have always been intact, but if one was ever missing I would go to security/police and ask them to check the contents before I touched it. (There was a case a few years ago where a baggage handler at LHR placed smuggled items in to a case and used the passenger as an unsuspecting mule. Then the bags were being opened by a counterpart baggage handler at the other end. Scary Stuff, make sure your bag has not been tampered with for your own peace of mind. Have you ever wondered why so many people have their bags shrink wrapped in plactic??? ( I recal a case of an Ozzie girl who had drugs in her case, she was adament she did not put them in there and I think they now wrap bags in Sydney because of the issue this caused with this girl when she enter Indonesia) maybe someone can bere truth to this via a news cliping ?

At least use a cable tie, and use an odd colour this way you have got half a chance that you know your bad has been opened. But as posts b4, never put anything of great value in suitcases anyway.

Be Safe

CF

Edited April 6, 2006 by Cheeky Farang

[Rooo]

I had my bag locked, they picked the zipper,it arrived at the carousel open.

[Thaiquila]

Those flying from the US are not allowed to lock their bags. Something about homeland security.

[Axel]

Axel - well always carry my electronics/jewelry with me, apart from that I don't see what else would be worth knicking. Allowed 2 carry-ons and 1 personal item, least with Star Alliance. (normally only use one carry-on and personal item)

Brit, below the rules I copied from the CX-web-site. Normally, I take a cabin-bag with wheels and stuff everything in there, I might need upon arrival incl. shirt, underwear etc. and business papers. Too often, my checked bags went somewhere else than me and took 2-3 days to come back. On the way home to BKK, everything into the checked bag except signed business-orders and documents. The cabin-bag than has space for foodstuff I buy in duty free in Europe and the 4-5 liters of whisky plus newest newspapers, magazines etc. that friends are waiting for. This means I add weight to the carry-on after check-in, and a lot...

Airport-theft? I had a couple of times although nothing valuable in the checked bags. Once in transit from Europe via Heathrow and Gatwick (makes sense, they have time), once a laptop bag opened but they realized no laptop inside. If anything slightly suspicious in the checked luggage, don't lock it, security otherwise might brake the lock.

Cabin Baggage

For all classes, each passenger (except infants) can enjoy a free baggage allowance of one cabin bag not exceeding 56x36x23cm (22x14x9 in) in size. These dimensions include wheels, handles and side pockets. Different travel classes have different weight limits: First Class - 15kg (33 lbs), Business Class - 10kg (22 lbs), Economy Class - 7kg (15 lbs). *

All First and Business Class travellers can also bring the following free:

1 garment bag measuring a maximum of 20cm (8 inches) thick when folded in half, or

1 soft bag no more than 20cm (8 inches) thick

The above extra allowance as well as duty-free items will be counted as part of this cabin baggage allowance.

In addition to the above allowance, you may carry onboard the following items free:

* An overcoat or shawl

* A small handbag

* A briefcase (no more than 4kg or 9lbs in weight)

* A notebook or laptop computer (no more than 4kg or 9lbs in weight, including case and accessories)

* A small camera or a pair of binoculars

* An umbrella / walking stick / crutches

[otherstuff1957]

I loved that quote about:

a press release that was almost free of facts

Based on that one line, I'd expect the perp's to be transferred to inactive posts soon

[udon]

Checked Suitcases are for clothing and nothing of value.

Basically, you are right. But where to store all the stuff that you do not need in the plane?

These days carriers are quite strict with carry-ons. And right so,I do not want to have a seat neighbour with all the extras carried on board and blocking the space under the seats as well as the upper bins.

Places like HKG they sent you back to check in your hand luggage if it does not fit in the frame provided before going to immigration. 7 kgs for taking on board and that includes duty free items.

With my suitcases, apart from a good pad-lock (even those can be opened, have you ever seen how many keys open even the best suitcase locks) I always thread a cable tie through the bag clips and pull it tight and cut the ends off. If my bag has been opened I will know and if it had I would never collect it from the carousel just in case some one had added stuff to the contents. To date the cable ties have always been intact, but if one was ever missing I would go to security/police and ask them to check the contents before I touched it. (There was a case a few years ago where a baggage handler at LHR placed smuggled items in to a case and used the passenger as an unsuspecting mule. Then the bags were being opened by a counterpart baggage handler at the other end. Scary Stuff, make sure your bag has not been tampered with for your own peace of mind. Have you ever wondered why so many people have their bags shrink wrapped in plactic??? ( I recal a case of an Ozzie girl who had drugs in her case, she was adament she did not put them in there and I think they now wrap bags in Sydney because of the issue this caused with this girl when she enter Indonesia) maybe someone can bere truth to this via a news cliping ?

At least use a cable tie, and use an odd colour this way you have got half a chance that you know your bad has been opened. But as posts b4, never put anything of great value in suitcases anyway.

Be Safe

CF

That was Shappel Corby.

She is now serving 20 years in Denpasar nick.

At first it was thought to have been baggage handlers at BNE or SYD airport who set her up..... now it looks like her dumbarse step-brother may have.