When Security Personnel Tell You "Money Money" and "Money Scan"

[Mike R]

Hey all,

Early Monday morning I flew out of Suvarnabhumi Airport and had a bizarre experience with some Thai security staff. Seems like they may have been pushing for a bribe or maybe I just didn't understand them. What do you make of it? Below is the email I sent to the airport to ask for an explanation:

On June 8th at around 5:45 am I went through a confusing security check. I went through the security checkpoint close to gate G3.

Everyone had to put their items on trays. On my tray were a few Thai baht bills. They were small bills worth maybe 200 baht.

The female airport employee pointed at these bills and said to me "Money money." Then she touched the pocket of my pants and said "Money money."

I told her I didn't understand, and she didn't try to explain herself. Instead she asked a colleague for help. He told me "Money scan." I didn't understand this. What is "money scan"? What does "money money" mean?

They never explained this and I still don't understand. Could you please explain what this was about? I have 3 main questions:

1. What is a "money scan"? Was I breaking some rule? I've been to many international airports, but only in Thailand did the employees tell me "money money" and "money scan". In 14 years of travel this is the first I've heard of a "money scan".
2. Why did your employee physically touch my pants pocket? Was she trying to tell me I should give her my money? Is it a bribe she wanted?
3. Why couldn't they explain this to me in English? They didn't even try. It's an international airport, so many customers don't speak Thai. Why would your airport hire staff who cannot speak to customers? This makes your airport look very unprofessional and untrained.

Please help me understand "Money scan". I don't want to return to your airport if I don't understand your rules and requirements.

[Crossy]

I strongly suspect she wanted you to put the cash inside you bag or in your pocket so it was safe (cash has gone walkabout in the past), or she wanted to know if you had a wallet in your pocket.

I pass through Swampy regularly, never had anything remotely like a request for a bribe.

Wrong end of the stick I suggest.

[Argus Tuft]

She was telling you to stick your cash back in your pocket! Safer for them as they won't be accused of anything going missing as the tray goes through.

[Mike R]

If this is what she wanted then why did her colleague explain this by telling me "money scan"? I understand neither of them knew much English, but you'd think they could communicate what they wanted by saying "Money go here" and gesture at my pocket, rather than "money money" or "money scan".

[Argus Tuft]

She did gesture at your pocket. You said so explicitly in your OP.

I think you might be over thinking this one, you had a simple misunderstanding of what they were trying to tell you. Surely you cannot expect every person you meet in an airport in a foreign country to speak perfect English?

How often do you travel?

[Mike R]

She did gesture at your pocket. You said so explicitly in your OP.

I think you might be over thinking this one, you had a simple misunderstanding of what they were trying to tell you. Surely you cannot expect every person you meet in an airport in a foreign country to speak perfect English?

How often do you travel?

What makes you think I was expecting perfect English? I wasn't. It's not reasonable for the staff to say "Money money" and "money scan" and understand that to mean "Put your money in your pocket."

My expectations are realistic. I've used international airports in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Poland, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Japan and Spain. This is the first time I've encountered such limited communication from security staff at an international airport.

I've asked some of my friends on social media about this, and none of them guessed that they wanted me to put the money in my pocket The people I told about this have more experience with world travel than I do. One used to be a flight attendant.

I chalk this one up to almost non-existent communication on the part of the airport staff.

[KhunBENQ]

Some people have no imagination!!!

Your first flight?

The personnel needs to learn one more English word:

"coin"

Of course she wanted to make sure that you have no coins in your pockets that make the metal detector beep!

Another bribe/scam case closed

Bye,

Edited June 11, 2015 by KhunBENQ

[BKKSnowBird]

If that upset you to the point you posted it on social media and now this forum I suggest you stay in your mom's basement. There is no way you are a international traveler.

Anyone knows not to put paper noney in the basket. It stays in your pocket or better yet in your wallet. She was trying to protect you NOT steal from you.

Edited June 11, 2015 by BKKSnowBird