Why isn’t Suvarnabhumi more secure?

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Why isn’t Suvarnabhumi more secure?
By The Nation

 

Proper surveillance might answer the recurring problem of airport workers ransacking luggage

 

BANGKOK: --  More complaints have emerged about theft by baggage handlers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and once again the reputation of the country’s main gateway – and the trustworthiness of its citizens – is at stake. 

 

A passenger recently alleged that the lock on her suitcase had been broken and the contents ransacked. She filed a police complaint after airline staff, she says, ignored her initial complaint. Word of her predicament circulated widely on the social media, resulting in a flurry of criticism about the country’s primary air-traffic hub. Her allegation came a little more than a week after a baggage handler at the same airport was arrested for stealing valuables from a passenger’s checked-in luggage. 

 

We have on several occasions over the past decade heard the same damning accusations from foreign tourists and expatriates claiming to be the victims of luggage theft at Suvarnabhumi. In response to the latest case, airport management has promised to enhance security measures to protect passenger luggage, at the same time insisting that this is its top priority and that the luggage-sorting area and baggage conveyor system are strictly monitored to prevent theft. General manager Sirote Duangratana acknowledges that such criminality greeting visitors on arrival brings shame to both the airport and the country.

 

Robbery by luggage handlers, officials manning security scanners and even other passengers is not unusual at busy airports around the world. Scanners easily spot jewellery, cash, cameras and other expensive items inside suitcases, an undeniable temptation for airport workers who are not above dishonesty as a means of padding out their salaries.

 

There might be a dilemma for airline passengers when it comes to deciding whether or not to pack valuables in checked baggage. The traditional wisdom advises that it is foolish to do so. The belief that it’s a safe practice is encouraged by trust in airport officials to be honest and the belief that modern suitcases are impregnable. There is also the argument that keeping valuables in checked luggage is a safeguard against pickpockets and thieving fellow passengers on board the aircraft. Meanwhile theft can also occur at security checkpoints both before and after the bags pass through scanners. 

 

This is not solely a problem for developing nations. The United States has in the past decade seen hundreds of reports of Transportation Security Administration officials stealing cash and other belongings at baggage checkpoints. It is common enough in some European countries as well.

 

In Thailand the penalty for stealing anything at an airport is not light. It can bring imprisonment of one to five years plus a fine of Bt2,000 to Bt10,000. Unfortunately this doesn’t appear to be enough of a deterrent to discourage offenders. Tougher measures are clearly needed in order to deal with the problem. Anyone charged with theft should of course be immediately suspended from duty and, if convicted, sacked and barred from working at any airport.

 

There should at the least be security cameras watching the baggage handlers and scanner operators rather than just the passengers. Other countries have had success with the help of video evidence in nabbing airport workers engaged in crime. It might even be advisable to require baggage handlers and checkpoint officials to wear body cameras on the job to keep an eye on their every move, the sort of equipment police in some jurisdictions must wear for the sake of official transparency and their own protection.

 

It is always a shame when restrictions like these have to be imposed on honest and trustworthy officials – who to be sure make up the majority of our airport staff. Dishonesty and greed among the minority forces the state’s hand, however. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/today_editorial/30309240

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-03-16

[outsider]

Could have tried to spin this into a 'hub' story. Haven't read many hub stories lately.

[rkidlad]

'BANGKOK: --  More complaints have emerged about theft by baggage handlers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and once again the reputation of the country’s main gateway – and the trustworthiness of its citizens – is at stake'

 

Is it? Why don't they address the problem of the criminal baggage handlers first? Prosecute the criminal baggage handlers for stealing. We can then worry about the reputation of the bag handlers, their friends and their nationalities, etc. Thailand needs to get away from this idea that the real crime is making their fellow Thais look bad. You prosecute strongly against people like this and it sends a clear message. If you keep emphasising they've shamed the country, it's easy for people to think "Ah, it's not the stealing that's bad. It's the getting caught". 

[yellowboat]

Always thought those who got their luggage wrapped were being overly worried.   Guess not given the state of the world today.  A sad state of affairs indeed.

[IMA_FARANG]

Stealing from baggage is a worldwide problem, common to ALL international airports.

not only that passengers routinely accidentally leave items as they travel.

All you have to do is to somehow see what is simply left at airports world-wide by travelers.

there are even television shows that deal with this topic.

[jaltsc]

"More complaints have emerged about theft by baggage handlers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport..."

 

Had my luggage opened/lock broken/security band cut, and a few things taken out/stolen. Took some small things, but left the big items. Not worth making a complaint and getting the Mai Pen Rai attitude...

 

"If you didn't want your stuff stolen, then you shouldn't have come to Thailand". 

 

I wonder why TAT doesn't give you this warning s before they get your money.

[koo]

Best advice is to always have all valuables in your carry-on.  If that is not possible, then present the valuables at the check-in counter and demand them to be listed and processed separately. Then if they go missing, you have a valid claim against the airline/airport operator.

 

Always "follow" your carry-on luggage through security. Very often there is an officer waving you to go through the security scanner, but do not pass through before your carry-on goes through the scanner. Thee have been reports from Europe that valuables disappear from hand held luggage, and this most often happens at the very point when your bag is in a long queue waiting on the belt to be scanned - it is already open because you took your liquids and laptop (which is a target itself) out, and you yourself are concentrated on the body scan. The thief can be a fellow passenger, staff, or some sort of staff's friend who just grabs the stuff and hides it or runs away with it. Following your carry-on is also recommended so that you are the first one to touch it after the scan. This would leave crooks to only grab your stuff during the scan, a very short, risky and even difficult to carry out.

[Benmart]

1 hour ago, IMA_FARANG said:

Stealing from baggage is a worldwide problem, common to ALL international airports.

not only that passengers routinely accidentally leave items as they travel.

All you have to do is to somehow see what is simply left at airports world-wide by travelers.

there are even television shows that deal with this topic.

I live in Thailand. I've not been to ALL airports, and I wonder if anyone has. The article is about Bangkok airport and not about the world in general. I try to stay focused and not stray.

[Sphere]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

....and once again the reputation of the country’s main gateway – and the trustworthiness of its citizens – is at stake....

 

No worries.....Somchai fix everything.

[dcnx]

36 minutes ago, Sphere said:

 

No worries.....Somchai fix everything.

Somchai = Thai Superman 

[surinderek]

2 hours ago, jaltsc said:

"More complaints have emerged about theft by baggage handlers at Suvarnabhumi International Airport..."

 

Had my luggage opened/lock broken/security band cut, and a few things taken out/stolen. Took some small things, but left the big items. Not worth making a complaint and getting the Mai Pen Rai attitude...

 

"If you didn't want your stuff stolen, then you shouldn't have come to Thailand". 

 

I wonder why TAT doesn't give you this warning s before they get your money.

also lost some luggage a few years ago the answer I got after weeks of argument wasyou might find it at Chatachek market

[richusa]

1 hour ago, surinderek said:

also lost some luggage a few years ago the answer I got after weeks of argument wasyou might find it at Chatachek market

if you cannot spell.....don't comment.

[jaywalker]

Why are the Swampy restrooms 1/10th the size of those at the Mo-Chit Bus Station, and all the concourse seating looks/feels like it was designed for a US Super-Max prison?

 

I loved old Don Mueang, even though it was under 7 feet of water a few years ago.

Edited March 16, 2017 by jaywalker

[Stargeezr]

Best advice is to leave your valuables at home, what do you need them for in Thailand or other tropical

countries, where you will be mostly wearing, T tops, shorts and sandels anyway.

If you are going through Bejing China, get ready for a long process in immigration. They only

had 2 agents for the International transfer line up. It took me one hour to get through the line.

I have had a much better process in Japan, or in Hong Kong.

Geezer

[thesetat2013]

What good does it to to have strict laws for punishments of those punishments are never given? Examples need to be made and tougher enforcement. As the article stated, this lady reported the theft yet had to post it online before anyone took notice. This in itself is a common practice with Thais. It may be that baggage thefts happen the world over. But at least when a theft is reported. It gets investigated by thr authorities and prosecuted by the courts. Lip service doesnt deter the common criminal

[Nigeone]

Because the thieving B******* here and throughout the country never get punished correctly and often meague fines handed out.. Get tougher across the board and maybe you'll see a change in mentality . Also authorities seen to be always in denial as to this type of issue taking place 

[Covertjay]

if you cannot spell.....don't comment.

I've seen the name of that market spelled four different ways anyway. He/she could be a second language speaker too. No need to invalidate someone's experience on the petty grounds of spelling errors.

I find the recounting of all these experiences valuable in planning how I'll pack my bags the next time I travel.

Thanks for your stories everyone!

Sent from my SM-G900F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app