More time taken for security check-ups at Thai airports

Security check-ups at Thai airports are currently taking a longer period of time in the wake of Thailand's increased efforts to live up to standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Airports of Thailand (AOT) President Nitinai Sirisamathakarn said on Monday that the authorities at Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports have stepped up security measures at the country's major airports under guidelines of the ICAO which had put the Red Flag suspension on Thailand due to reported failures to solve significant safety concerns.

For that reason, it currently takes two and a half hours for AOT officials to do security check-ups on each outbound passenger of a domestic airliner, compared to one hour as previously taken, and three and a half hours on each outbound passenger of an international airliner, compared to two hours as previously taken, Nitinai said.

All outbound passengers are strongly suggested to arrive earlier than usual at the airports for such time-consuming security check-ups on their luggage, including those which will be carried in the airliner's cargo bay and those which will be put in the passengers' cabin, according to the AOT chief.

The agency plans to use more personnel and X-ray machines to speed up the check-up procedure at the airports, he added.

The aviation authorities have speculated that the ICAO will lift the Red Flag suspension on Thailand later this year, given the stepped-up security measures at the airports. Endi