X-ray machines for all conveyor belts at major airports

X-ray machines for all conveyor belts at major airports

Passengers' baggage ready for collection from a carousel at Suvarnabhumi airport.  (Bangkok Post file photo)
Passengers' baggage ready for collection from a carousel at Suvarnabhumi airport. (Bangkok Post file photo)

X-ray machines will be installed on all conveyor belts at Suvarnabhumi and four other airports to scan baggage for dutiable goods and contraband, Customs Department director-general Kulit Sombatsiri said.

A budget of about 2 billion baht had been allocated for the purchases.

Mr Kulit said installation of the machines will begin in 2017 and they will begin operating in 2018.

Twenty-three x-ray machines will be installed at Suvarnabhumi airport and a total of six others at Don Mueang, Samui, Chiang Mai and Phuket airports.

At present, only some baggage is randomly x-rayed. After completion of the installation, the machines will scan all baggage brought into the country for dutiable goods and contraband.  

Luxury goods brought into the country in larger quantities than legally allowed will be subject to taxation. Smugglers of contraband will be subject to legal action.

The Finance Ministry has also approved an additional 681 million baht for the Customs Department to buy a mobile X-ray unit for use at checkpoints for more effective detection of contraband brought into the country by road, the customs chief said.


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