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Thai PM moves on airport scams
BANGKOK – Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has ordered officials to resolve all scams at Suvarnabhumi Airport and restore confidence among foreign tourists.
TTR Online reported that the PM inspected the country’s gateway airport last Saturday and filmed the event for his weekly broadcast to the Thai people.
Viewers watched the PM tour the airport and ask pointed questions about the alleged scams that are plaguing the airport and damaging the country’s reputation.
Mr Abhisit spared no-one during the one-hour inspection, said TTR.
He called for an overhaul of security at duty-free shops and believes reports that a variety of scams are flourishing at the airport.
Problems identified included:
Entrapment — departing passengers are falsely accused of shoplifting at duty free shops and forced to pay substantial cash to gain their release.
Unlicensed taxi drivers flourish, and there are accusations that even official taxis are a security risk. Recent TV news reports focused on accusations that rogue taxi drivers attempt to introduce a sleep-inducing drug to the air-conditioning while transferring to the city. The allegations are being investigated by the Land Transport Department.
Baggage theft in secure areas involves airport ground handling employees. Pilfering checked-in luggage is rampant.
Shoplifting scams involving illegal use of foreign interpreters and volunteers inserted into an official police investigation. They are assigned by police in direct contravention of the country’s labour law
Illegal sale of limousine transfers and tours sold openly in the baggage clearance area, before the customs checks, despite letters of complaints from travel agency associations to the AoT.
Ian Jarrett
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