Suvarnabhumi airport's courtroom for foreign plaintiffs will open on Monday.
An average of 250 crimes a day are reported at the busy Suvarnabhumi airport, and authorities believe a new fast-track court will be able to clear many cases so that passengers can get on with their lives. (AFP file photo)
The Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) approved the establishment of the court Tuesday.
The court will be a branch of the Samut Prakan provincial court and will handle cases of crimes against foreigners at the airport.
It will be the first court of its kind in the country.
AOT chairman Sita Divari said his authority had donated the space for the court and also provided it with office equipment and a video conference system to connect to Samut Prakan provincial court, where judges can consider cases remotely.
The airport court should improve the tourism image of the country, reduce crimes at the airport and facilitate justice, Sqd Ldr Sita said.
He added that the court will be flexible if aggrieved foreigners wanted to leave the country early and would schedule their cases appropriately.
Sqd Ldr Sita also plans to establish similar courts at Don Mueang and Phuket airports.
Sita: Court ‘should boost country’s image’
Acting AOT president Pongsak Semsan said that from January to August this year, 1,980 crimes were reported at Suvarnabhumi airport, involving 1,047 suspects. Most of these were petty crimes.
Suvarnabhumi director Raweewan Netarakavesana said the courtroom, which measures 46 sq m, replaces a reception room on the third floor of the passenger terminal.
It will later be moved to a permanent location on the sixth floor of the airport's car park building, where it will have more space, Ms Raweewan said.