Calls For Higher Security At Suvarnabhumi Airport

[george]

Transport minister calls for higher security at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK: -- Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen on Thursday instructed airport officials to boost security throughout the Suvarnabhumi Airport area, particularly in a zone nearby an aircraft takeoff and landing area.

Adm. Thira and his deputy Sansern Wongcha-um made their first inspection of Suvarnabhumi Airport after assuming their posts.

They were welcomed by senior executives of Airports of Thailand (AOT), Thai Airways International (THAI) and state agencies concerned, who briefed them of the airport's overall functions and all problems that have arisen in the new facility's operations.

Included were the widely-publicised delays in baggage processing and malfunctions in the conveyor and check-in systems.

Delivering a special policy to a meeting of senior executives, Adm. Thira instructed all agencies to increase the number of security officers stationed throughout the airport terminal and grounds.

In particular, he viewed a security should be beefed up in a flyover bridge area near the northern passenger terminal where sightseers like to stop because if offers a clean--and currently unpoliced--vantage point to see aircraft taking off and landing clearly.

The new transport minister said that to leave the bridge unattended was a clear breach of security as ill-intentioned persons might use the site to conduct terrorist attacks on aircraft. Adm. Thira ordered AOT to strictly prohibit motorists from stopping or parking on the bridge and to take measures to disallow any foot traffic.

The minister also instructed the appropriate state agencies to help assure oversight of all functions and to solve all problems arising as soon as they occur, to prevent them from negatively affecting the image of Thailand's air transport services and tourism.

--TNA 2006-10-12