Prepare to pay 35 baht more for plane tickets

[Mot Dang]

What enhancements will I get for my money ? Can I ask for a refund if I am a victim to a lapse in airport security ?

I travel thru Suvarnabhumi Airport 12 times a year, minimum. Seriously, have you ever watched the security guys attending the baggage X-ray conveyor belts, or those at the last check at the gate ? Bored sh*tless., and making a half-hearted effort at their job. I couldn't believe how they took their attention from their job to laugh at some old dude who lost his pants when asked to remove his belt. And those at the gate never ever have checked ALL the pockets in my carry-one bag.

How can they upgrade their security measures ? For more CCTV cameras where observers have the attention span of a gold fish. More mobile rope barriers to further herd the cattle. More dim-wits with automatic weapons.

Last year I left my wife standing in line at the check-in counter. A guy came up to her and asked if she could take one of his bags as she only had one and he (as he said) had too many. Twice she told him to piss off. I came back and immediately became hostile and he slinked away. I called over an air-port guard and pointed this guy out, who by then was pestering another passenger. All the guard did was to go over to him and wave him on. No questions, no looking at his ID, no inspection of his bag. That lack of training is what allows terrorists to prosper.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Mot Dang

[asanee]

I wonder how many countries adopt the policy of making their visitors pay for protection? Furthermore on paying this extra fee, how can webe assured we are getting value for money?

Notably the USA: not just for that checking, but even more US$$ for also checking you have No fruits/vegs with you, plus more $$ for checking your passpt. plus more $$ for advance ESTA, non-ref if you find they have banned you from flying, AND more $$ for the people at their immi-gates for barking at you the harshest they possibly can. All paid advance together with the airline tix.

And use your brains instead of salting: nothing is garanteed here in TH-and for a 1$ fee no-one could even expect more as an administrative run through some computer-files.

[asanee]

The sooner we realize that terrorists are humans, the sooner we might begin to solve the problem. It's quite useless to focus on the possessions of a potential terrorist - focus on the terrorist - is he nervous, sweating, elevated pulse, poor eye contact, suspicious profile - then he gets extra scrutiny, not his water bottle.

Nonsense-think. That would eliminate pretty much any first-time passenger who does not know how such things work. Plus that training in these matters is a bananapeel for the determined terrorist. You clearly missed even lesson 1 in the basic handbook of prevention.

[gandalf12]

They make massive profits as it is. Surely they can start performing the job they are paid for without being overly greedy and chargiing more.

[hawker9000]

35 baht x 50.000.000 passengers= 1.750.000.000 baht thats a lot of money.

I think you underestimate the thai thirst for Mercs, BMWs, and new condos...

[gandalf12]

I wonder how many countries adopt the policy of making their visitors pay for protection? Furthermore on paying this extra fee, how can webe assured we are getting value for money?

Notably the USA: not just for that checking, but even more US$$ for also checking you have No fruits/vegs with you, plus more $$ for checking your passpt. plus more $$ for advance ESTA, non-ref if you find they have banned you from flying, AND more $$ for the people at their immi-gates for barking at you the harshest they possibly can. All paid advance together with the airline tix.

And use your brains instead of salting: nothing is garanteed here in TH-and for a 1$ fee no-one could even expect more as an administrative run through some computer-files.

THe USA is a rip off. $14 just to transit the airport, ridiculous

[deecee10]

Happy to pay 35 baht for even the slightest improvement. Our local airport security in Surattani is a joke. I dont even worry about having over sized liquids in my carry on and as far as I can tell the body xray doesn't even work. And my friend brings foot long spikes for his bamboo tattoo business in pvc pipes no problem on carry on.

Well that's a hint for the bad guys as to where to target next.

[PaulBraveheart]

lol! Big brother will save us? How did that work last time? I mean it was martial law security. “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Ben Franklin

[duanebigsby]

I dont believe for 1 second that Thailand has links with all other countries immigration systems allowing them to see a so called blacklist. The only thing they will likely have is a data base for suspected terrorists and / or arrest warrants from Interpol, if that...

It doesn't at the moment.

He was talking about the system being upgraded to give it that capability.

whether or not it will ever happen is anybody's guess.

[Jim walker]

Since the soldier boy government stamped out corruption almost two years ago we can now be assured that the 35B levy will be genuinely spent on security upgrading of the airports and not just to grease a few generals palms and they can praise themselves for a job well done. Corruption defeated for good and kids on noisy motorbikes also defeated.

[gandalf12]

I dont believe for 1 second that Thailand has links with all other countries immigration systems allowing them to see a so called blacklist. The only thing they will likely have is a data base for suspected terrorists and / or arrest warrants from Interpol, if that...

It doesn't at the moment.

He was talking about the system being upgraded to give it that capability.

whether or not it will ever happen is anybody's guess.

It has access to the Interpol database. Had they used it maybe the Erawan bombing would never have taken place

[theguyfromanotherforum]

I remember the incident in 2011 when a young security guard got slapped silly because he was doing his job while some entitled individual with military rank felt he should have been recognized. Not to mention the recent pistol incident.

This is why any fee that goes towards security is useless.

[hawker9000]

I remember the incident in 2011 when a young security guard got slapped silly because he was doing his job while some entitled individual with military rank felt he should have been recognized. Not to mention the recent pistol incident.

This is why any fee that goes towards security is useless.

No, you're just looking at it all wrong. This is your chance to admire that shiny new BMW 7-series being driven down Sukhumvit in stately splendor, perhaps with police escort, and proudly say to yourself, "I helped pay for that!" Thailand thanks you!

[ThaiTony2]

Many are quick to jump and willing to pay more but wait... It's coming.

[F4UCorsair]

I wonder how many countries adopt the policy of making their visitors pay for protection? HFurthermore on paying this extra fee, how can webe assured we are getting value for money?

You already pay for airport security; you just don't realize it.

Governments, through their Civil Aviation Authorities, levy a host of charges on airlines, and airlines pass the cost on to passengers. It's called, 'user pays'.

No such thing as a free lunch, but you will never know Iif you're getting value for money, until there is a serious breach, and you may then think you aren't.

Edited November 20, 2015 by F4UCorsair

[chilli42]

Why is it, regardless of the country, that security at airports employs those who are virtually unemployable in any other function? Perhaps it's the minimum wage salary. I will begin to feel better when the required IQ is over 80

[jollyhangmon]

I wonder how many countries adopt the policy of making their visitors pay for protection? Furthermore on paying this extra fee, how can webe assured we are getting value for money?

North Korea does you need a "minder" with you at ALL times outside of your hotel.

Well, by the looks of it implementation pending here in the LOL as well, will probably be called TM-30A for 'advanced' ...

[SunsetT]

Although, only 35 baht, add that to the millions of passengers we are talking about lots of Baht. When I purchase a ticket departing from Thailand the taxes are already 50% of the ticket price.

Just be grateful the taxes aren't similar to the UK.

But round trip flights UK/ Thailand are much cheaper booked from the UK than from Thailand

[djlest]

i dont see why passengers have to pay more, seriously... this technology should have been implemented 20 years ago, its just a basic blacklist database from interpol... what is the big deal here? i smell something

[djlest]

flight from UK to THailand return can be had for 400 pounds...

Booking return flights from Thailand to UK you will be lucky to find at 700-800 pounds, and i mean lucky...

Yes exactly... some greed

[crusty]

...so they can continue giving annual bonuses to AOT staff...(equivalent to 7 months' salary and more)....

...this above the hidden 700 baht per head....and who knows what other charges....

...which begs the question...where does all the money from immigration and visas go.......never heard......

Those AOT staff that got a bonus recently permitted a Thai passenger to pick up his bag from the arrival carousel after it had caught fire ! Anywhere else in the world he would have been arrested immediately !

[KonKorat]

There goes my holiday,this rise has just busted me!

[shirtless]

Its just another cash grab, they post a couple of extra security guards thats about it, never let a good opportunity go to waste.

[Flow]

"Even more conveniently, passengers will be informed at check-in whether they are blacklisted by their destination countries."

That statement is obviously untrue.

Sorry, but is true. They wanted to see my Japanese residency card after which they punched in the numbers for verification purposes into the computer. This was last Tuesday.

[sandrabbit]

madmitch, on 20 Nov 2015 - 08:19, said:

thailand49, on 20 Nov 2015 - 07:56, said:

Although, only 35 baht, add that to the millions of passengers we are talking about lots of Baht. When I purchase a ticket departing from Thailand the taxes are already 50% of the ticket price.

Just be grateful the taxes aren't similar to the UK.

You're right, I had enough air miles to do a business class return Bangkok to Cardiff with KLM and it cost me £450 which is almost a quarter of the ticket price.

[Mudcrab]

Happy to pay 35 baht for even the slightest improvement. Our local airport security in Surattani is a joke. I dont even worry about having over sized liquids in my carry on and as far as I can tell the body xray doesn't even work. And my friend brings foot long spikes for his bamboo tattoo business in pvc pipes no problem on carry on.

Can i happily not pay it for the non existent extra security.

Sure...no problem, just don't buy a ticket.

[sandyf]

madmitch, on 20 Nov 2015 - 08:19, said:

thailand49, on 20 Nov 2015 - 07:56, said:

Although, only 35 baht, add that to the millions of passengers we are talking about lots of Baht. When I purchase a ticket departing from Thailand the taxes are already 50% of the ticket price.

Just be grateful the taxes aren't similar to the UK.

You're right, I had enough air miles to do a business class return Bangkok to Cardiff with KLM and it cost me £450 which is almost a quarter of the ticket price.

Tax breakdown on a return flight BKK/LHR. The 35 baht becomes insignificant compared to the other taxes.

Adult(s) x2 30450฿(THB)

Airline Fuel Surcharge 13820฿(THB)

Airline Insurance Surchage 900฿(THB)

Tax

E7 70฿(THB)

E7 70฿(THB)

TS 1400฿(THB)

GB 8140฿(THB)

UB 4690฿(THB)

Total price 59540฿(THB)

[Mudcrab]

Is this another knee jerk reaction to the activities of ISIS, most recently the bombing pf the Russian airline in Egypt - or is it a planned escalation, since the ashtrays of the AOT CEO's Benz are now full ?

In either case, it makes no sense whatever, since no terrorist would dream of going through passenger security. An airside security pass can be bought for next to nothing, for example from a catering company employee. Then he/she can simply walk in at leisure, with no need to line up.

These 'knee jerk reactions' have being going on all over the world since the dawn of jet airliner travel when terrorists hijacked planes in the late 1960's and perpetuated by the religion of peace in latter times.

Don't blame the Thais.

[Mudcrab]

Flights to and from my country (USA) are already checked. What is this 35 baht other than a way to scam me of one more dollar before I fly home.

Love it or hate it, USA probably has the best airport security in the world.

As a matter of fact, most civilized countries do.

I don't understand what difference is this 35 baht going to make as criminals are going to use land crossings as usual.

After the Paris attack I often wonder how would Thailand react to an organized terrorist attack.

My guess is Thailand would capitulate in 24 hours.

Maybe I am wrong.

I would respectfully suggest that the families of the thousands who lost their lives in the attack on the twin towers would disagree quite strongly.

[Mudcrab]

Is this another knee jerk reaction to the activities of ISIS, most recently the bombing pf the Russian airline in Egypt - or is it a planned escalation, since the ashtrays of the AOT CEO's Benz are now full ?

In either case, it makes no sense whatever, since no terrorist would dream of going through passenger security. An airside security pass can be bought for next to nothing, for example from a catering company employee. Then he/she can simply walk in at leisure, with no need to line up.

Sorry you are sadly misinformed if I was you I would look at the security your example has to go through to get airs ide. As for terrorist not queuing how did they get on the planes for 9/11 or the shoe bomber. More and more now terrorists will board planes as normal so increased hi-tech can only be a good thing. And if it is as you say a knee jerk reaction Good something is happening

9/11 and the shoe bomber were a very long time ago, and before many of the levels of passenger security were added - you can't realistically be saying that security delays were the same in those days.

Terrorists go after the soft target or seek the easy way to get it done. How can you say, "More and more now terrorists will board planes as normal" ? Please post your evidence for this. Recent history says exactly the opposite.

As for airside security, I am not "sadly misinformed". I have been airside at more than one AOT airport and I have seen lax to almost non-existent security, which unfortunately is the standard in many parts of the world. ......... and your experience is ?

Only if you are a teenager. For many.many people it was merely yesterday.