The International Civil Aviation Organisation will audit all of Thailand’s aviation-security measures next year to check the effectiveness of both airline and airport procedures, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said Wednesday.
ICAO officials suggested in a meeting with the minister today that Thailand get ready for the next audit. An advanced team from the United Nations-affiliated agency will arrive to talk with Thai officials prior to the checkup, he said.
The University Security Audit Programme is more comprehensive than January's audit of airline safety standards as it involves all processes at airports and the handling of aircraft in Thai airspace. At least five agencies -- the Defence, Interior, Finance and Transport ministries and the National Police Office - have roles in those processes.
ACM Prajin said they must pool efforts to be ready for the next inspection, as the country still has more than a year to prepare.
The minister met ICAO delegates led by regional director Arun Mishra to update them on improvements undertaken by Thai authorities following a critical review of the Department of Civil Aviation's airline certification standards. The airline regulator's "significant" safety concerns prompted bans from Japan, China and South Korea on certain Thai airlines.
The minister said the ICAO was satisfied with improvements made by Thailand, but advised him to ensure the country brings all its processes up to international standards.
On Tuesday, ACM Prajin said Thailand on May 6 will send its plan outlining steps to correct flaws identified by the agency.
The next key step will come in June when Deputy Transport Minister Akom Termpittayapaisith leads Thai officials to meet ICAO secretary-general Raymond Benjamin at its Montreal headquarters to outline steps taken to correct the problems and end the crisis.