Chiang Rai News
Chiang Rai Airport Tightens X-Ray Security after Retired Bangkok Police Chief Arrested with Gun in Japan
The airport believes that the new safety policy will significantly boost security and effectively prevent passengers from bringing firearms aboard the aircraft
CHIANG RAI – Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport has reportedly increased its security measures in compliance with the Airport of Thailand’s policy and the airport codes of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Chiang Rai Airport officials said those entering the airport are subjected to thorough inspection while loading of luggage will be strictly scanned and labeled.
Passengers will be scanned at six spots, firstly upon entering the passenger terminal, then at the counter of boarding pass issuance, followed by inspection prior to the point of x-ray scanning, then at the scanning point of personal belongings, at the home-room inspection by airline officials, and finally at the gate before boarding the aircraft.
The airport believes that the new safety policy will significantly boost security and effectively prevent passengers from bringing firearms aboard the aircraft. It said the procedure might cause inconvenience to some, but the regulations would ensure safety for all passengers.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang raises his hand to greet reporters while arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday
Meanwhile, Airport of Thailand officials at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok called a news conference Thursday to deny any breach in security with regards to Bangkok’s former police chief who was arrested earlier this week in Tokyo with a loaded gun in his luggage.
Lt. Gen. Comronwit Thoopgrajank was arrested at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport on his way back to Bangkok with a handgun containing five bullets in his check-in luggage.
They showed a detailed slideshow of screenshots from CCTV footage showing Comronwit entering the airport and going through security, removing his shoes and getting two carry-on bags checked by security scanners.
Suvarnabhumi Airport General Manager Sirote Duangratana said their findings confirm that no guns or ammunition were found” in the carry-ons or on Lt. Gen. Comronwit Thoopgrajank when he departed Thailand for Japan.
He said a printout of a security report from his checked-in baggage “showed that it was cleared and the luggage did not have any hazardous material.”
“Our system meets the standards that are being used worldwide,” said Sirote, adding that Comronwit was not given any special treatment. High-ranking police officers in Thailand are customarily given VIP treatment.
