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AIRPORT crackdown fails to stop the scammers and conmen



 
 
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Old September 6th, 2009, 05:43 PM posted to soc.culture.thai,rec.travel.asia
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Default AIRPORT crackdown fails to stop the scammers and conmen

Crackdown fails to stop airport gangs

ILLEGAL OPERATORS DEFY AUTHORITIES

BANGKOK: -- Despite the government's recent campaign to keep the
international gateway to Thailand clear of thugs and cheats, it seems
to be business as usual for illegal taxi operators and tour guides at
Suvarnabhumi airport.

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) Plc recently reported to the cabinet
that more than 600 people had been caught at the airport in the past
two months for various offences.

In the past two months, 395 unlicensed taxi drivers and 210 illegal
tour guides who exploited travellers at Suvarnabhumi airport have been
arrested after a campaign was launched to crack down on crime at the
airport, the AoT reported to cabinet last week.

However, airport authorities with a trained eye still see unauthorised
taxi operators and tour guides preying on victims, but claim they get
intimidated when they approach these people, who then claim they have
connections in high places.

"Often these people claim they know AoT executives to scare away
authorities and keep their businesses going. Some just say bluntly
that they need money to pass on to their bosses, which is understood
to mean AoT executives," said one inside source.

The source added that there are more than 20 powerful groups operating
in the airport which come under the command of major gangs - Kamnan
Samruay, Boonruang Srisang, Sak Pakphanang and Pirap.

The Kamnan Samruay camp used to operate at Don Mueang airport, where
they provided underground foreign exchange services.

At the new airport, the gang has extended its business to cover
ticketing and illegal taxi and tour guide services. It also collects
"protection fees" from smaller gangs.

The Boonruang Srisang gang also runs an illegal taxi and tour guide
service network. It has a small number of members and is independent.

The Sak Pakphanang gang is a break-away from the Boonruang Srisang
gang, while the Pirap group is believed to have strong connections as
its leader has the same last name as an AoT executive.

There are also two prominent groups known as the Pattaya Mafia gang
and the Phuyai Daeng gang. The Pattaya Mafia gang, whose leaders are
known as Steve and Montri and who are neatly dressed and can easily
pass as passengers, is stationed on the fourth floor of the passenger
terminal. The Phuyai Daeng gang, with good connections with
influential figures in Samut Prakan, works more like a lobbyist for
fraudsters who want to gain entry to the airport.

According to the source, unauthorised tour guides are engaged in
various scams ranging from providing transportation and accommodation
to selling air tickets. "Some even 'steal' the tourists from the TAT
[Tourism Authority of Thailand] information counter. They feed the
tourists information and then press on with hard sales," said the
source.

The illegal tour guides hang around the arrivals hall and approach
foreign passengers. They introduce themselves as airport workers and
lead tourists to illegal taxi queues when a deal is made."They are
scattered on every floor in the terminal and stay among passengers and
officials. It is hard to pick them out from the crowd because they are
well dressed," the source said, adding the gangs have carved the
airport into zones.

AoT president Serirat Prasutanond conceded that there are some
criminal gangs operating in the airport, but said the AoT has stepped
up efforts to crack down on unlicensed taxi drivers and tour guides.

One measure has been to transfer some officials who were thought to be
involved with the gangs. A reshuffle of officials will be made this
month, he said. Mr Serirat said the AoT will spend 15 million baht
starting on Oct 1 to try and end the illegal operations.

* This article is the first in a series on irregularities at
Suvarnabhumi airport.


-- Bangkok Post 2009-09-06
 




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