Transport Ministry Tightens Airport Security Screening Measures
Thailand's Transport Ministry is intensifying airport security screening following a cabinet drug prevention meeting, deploying additional K9 units and upgrading X-ray procedures after a Thai flight attendant's arrest in Australia exposed s
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angsakulgiartti outlined enhanced security measures for airports following a cabinet drug prevention committee meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on July 3rd. Siripong, representing Deputy PM Pipat Ratchakitprakarn who was conducting provincial fieldwork, said the Transport Ministry will implement the committee's recommendations with additional enforcement measures.
He confirmed that before the arrest of a Thai flight attendant in Australia, the airport had already enforced stringent international screening standards, and drug smuggling arrests have been ongoing at the airport with contraband detected on both arriving and departing flights. "Going forward, we will intensify screening procedures significantly because we believe these smuggling networks may have learned our inspection methods and are continuously adapting to evade detection," Siripong said.
Regarding concerns about how crew member smuggling would be controlled, the Deputy Transport Minister explained that airports already screen crew through X-ray scanning, but if violations are discovered, enforcement will be escalated. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand will issue additional regulations to all airlines, including prohibiting crew from carrying items due to risk factors. Additional measures include enhanced training for X-ray machine operators, strengthened intelligence operations, and deployment of over 60 additional K9 units from the Thai National Police to supplement existing customs K9 units. The ministry will issue further policy directives to airlines.