PHUKET: A security staffer at Phuket International Airport has confessed to stealing cash from a traveller as his bag went through the airport's security x-ray system today.
The $900 in Australian dollars was lifted by a female contract security worker in the latest scandal to hit the airport.
The money was stolen from Australian Andreas Paolo Clappis as his bags went through the scanner at the second floor entrance to the airport for departing passengers.
Mr Clappis was fortunate to check his bags immediately. He noted the $900 was missing, alerted Phuket airport security staff, and Urai Hobkan, 34, was apprehended with the cash.
The Phuket airport's managers, Airports of Thailand, continue to use contract workers in key security posts and loading baggage despite several cases of theft.
It is believed the Australian man was able to fly out as scheduled after making a statement to police.
Khun Urai was being held at Tachatchai Police Station in Phuket's north. Police were keen to find out how long she has been stealing from departing passengers at the Phuket airport.
The $900 in Australian dollars was lifted by a female contract security worker in the latest scandal to hit the airport.
The money was stolen from Australian Andreas Paolo Clappis as his bags went through the scanner at the second floor entrance to the airport for departing passengers.
Mr Clappis was fortunate to check his bags immediately. He noted the $900 was missing, alerted Phuket airport security staff, and Urai Hobkan, 34, was apprehended with the cash.
The Phuket airport's managers, Airports of Thailand, continue to use contract workers in key security posts and loading baggage despite several cases of theft.
It is believed the Australian man was able to fly out as scheduled after making a statement to police.
Khun Urai was being held at Tachatchai Police Station in Phuket's north. Police were keen to find out how long she has been stealing from departing passengers at the Phuket airport.
The procedure around the scanning gives ample opportunities for removing objects, travellers need to take laptops out of bags, remove objects from pockets, belts and sometimes even remove shoes , so there is a lot of distraction going on...but I find it hard to believe that this person could do this without her colleagues knowledge, they are usually 3 to 4 and sometimes more staff around each machine, so it is unlikely that all of them did not know what went on, she was probably just unlucky as she was caught.
Posted by Sailor on June 21, 2013 02:35