Thailand’s Customs Department said it will complete the installation of 23 x-ray machines at Suvarnabhumi Airport by year end.
The move aims to improve security checks of luggage of inbound passengers and to prevent smuggling.
“The X-ray Machines will check of luggage from inbound planes before the passengers can claim them. At present we a random check method, which results in smuggled goods being missed” Customs director-general Krisada Jinawijarana said.
The x-ray machines, will allow customs officials to see what’s inside the luggage and immediately. Passengers trying to smuggle items to avoid duties will now have to pay the Customs before leaving the airport.
“This measure was assigned by the Ministry of Finance in order to improve the efficiency of tax collection,” he said.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said that in addition to installing the x-ray machines, he had also ordered customs to use internet technology systems to improve their working processes.
The x-ray machines will not only help with tax collection, but also prevent the smuggling of sensitive goods into the country. Such as agricultural products, palm oil, fuel oil and drugs,” the Finance Minister said.
Meanwhile Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said the ministry will digitalise car parking systems and improve immigration checkpoints at Don Mueang Airport to tackle overcrowding. He said the new system will help passengers save time and better plan where to park their cars and the ministry will also increase the number of check-in counters and immigration checkpoints.
