MRT checks give false sense of security

MRT checks give false sense of security

This is a pure coincidence. Less than a week before the horrendous bombing that killed 20 and injured more than 100 innocent people at the Erawan shrine on Monday, a friend posted a question on his Facebook page about the effectiveness of security checks on the city MRT underground train system. As any commuter knows, all passengers are asked to open their bags while security guards absentmindedly flash a torch into them. For stations with more than one guard, it's likely they chat with each other as they carry out the checks. 

"Does anyone think such checking is useful? What do they expect from such a practice?" he asked. Obviously, my friend was frustrated with the performance of those security guards. 

All his friends came to the conclusion that: "It's just a farce".

And I fully agree.

As a frequent user of underground trains, I encounter this nonsense all the time. Even the metal detector devices appear to be unreliable. I remember how I was stopped and had my bag checked at one station after the metal detector alarm went off, only to be allowed to go through the system freely at another station hours later when the alarm happened to stay mute. It's the same bag, same belongings, same accessories (if that indeed was the cause). Granted, now the MRT has switched to manual checking, with security guards and torches, for every passenger.

But such lax inspections are a waste of time on both sides. They lead to nothing but irritation and frustration.

Worse, I notice that some guards seem to target only foreign travellers with huge items of luggage or backpacks. There are many times I've felt pity for these foreign tourists - some are in a rush to catch their flight -- who are asked to open up big bags for checks which are mostly ceremonial. The guards seem to expect perpetrators to hide explosives in their travel bags. I don't know where they get the idea from but handbags and tote bags appear to look safe to them.

A foreign commuter who wrote a complaint on social media said he was not against security checks. He said: "I would understand and not complain if they were genuine searches and they knew what they were looking for. Also, if every station had the same rules. At some stations the woman just stands there and lets everyone through, while at other stations everyone is checked. Some stations seem to perform random checks."

Another foreigner suspected that it's racism. He said he was always asked to open his laptop bag while Thai passengers with bags walked through freely.

Some may argue that security checks just provide a deterrent against would-be attackers. The BTS skytrain system, which deploys several security guards at every station, provides no such inspections. 

But the bombing on Monday -- which was followed by a pipe bomb being thrown at Sathon pier the following day -- came shortly after the state assured us it had the situation under control. It may mean it's time we change our attitude when it comes to security. Especially if authorities confirm it's an act of terrorism which means we need more effective security measures for the public transportation system and at public places.

If train operators are afraid of bombs, they should provide more efficient metal detectors at stations. Or, perhaps, a squad of sniffer dogs? 

We are told that the MRT train system does have sniffer dogs in service, but we've hardly seen any of them at work. Not in recent years.

They said they have a limited number of dogs and they use them from time to time and at certain stations. Otherwise the four-legged officers "would get too tired".

At the very least, security guards at the underground and skytrain systems must assure us they are alert for suspicious acts and strictly follow security manual procedures. 

Commuters and members of the public must also change their habits. Stay alert for suspicious objects. CCTV cameras, which fortunately worked well in Monday's bombing, are even more important.

I agree with many that we should continue with our lives and not be intimidated by such a cruel attack. But it does not hurt to practice prevention.

Let's stay alert - it could save lives.  


Ploenpote Atthakor is deputy editorial pages editor, Bangkok Post.

Ploenpote Atthakor

Former editorial page Editor

Ploenpote Atthakor is former editorial pages editor, Bangkok Post.

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