Bangkok: The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has called a meeting with all relevant agencies to overhaul measures to prevent drug trafficking via air travel. "Phatarapong" revealed that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has convened a meeting with all relevant agencies to overhaul measures to prevent drug trafficking via air travel. This includes integrating all agencies to close loopholes and enhance security. He emphasized that crew searches will be conducted using the same standards as for passengers.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Patarapong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed the progress after being assigned by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, to follow up on the case of Thai airline crew members. He requested Air Chief Marshal Manat Chawanaprayoon, Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), to urgently discuss with relevant agencies to determine solutions and upgrade measures to prevent drug trafficking via international flights, following the detention of Thai airline employees in Australia on suspicions of drug trafficking.
Mr. Patarapong said that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) had invited Thai Airways Public Company Limited, Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), the Customs Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), and security agencies to an integrated meeting to determine both short-term and long-term measures to address loopholes and upgrade the country's aviation security standards.
The meeting concluded with a call for urgent short-term measures. Thai Airways will intensify security checks on crew members and baggage before they begin their duties, and will impose strict disciplinary penalties on those who violate the rules or accept unauthorized items. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will ensure all airlines adhere to the same standards and closely monitor compliance.
AOT confirmed that all crew members were searched according to the same standards as passengers and is ready to fully support the operations of airlines and security agencies. Meanwhile, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and the Customs Department will collaborate to enhance the capabilities of search officers to improve the efficiency of observing behavior and detecting risks.
For long-term measures, the meeting agreed to promote the use of Passenger Name Records (PNRs) for risk analysis and systematic screening of suspicious individuals, as well as to study the linkage of databases between the Customs Department, the Immigration Bureau, and related agencies. Furthermore, they agreed to develop additional technologies and infrastructure for security screening. AOT plans to implement a biometric system in the baggage check-in process to enhance identity verification and tracking.
Mr. Phatarapong further revealed that the meeting confirmed that Thailand currently has measures in place to search crew members according to the same standards as passengers, and is under the strict supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). In the past, relevant agencies have been able to continuously seize and intercept drug trafficking and illegal substances, even though many cases have not been publicized.
I have instructed all agencies to work together to overhaul aviation security measures, closing all loopholes that could be used as routes for drug smuggling. This includes integrating intelligence sharing and modern technology to build confidence among the public and the international community that Thailand's aviation system meets international standards of safety and security.