Travellers might need health clearance

Thai Airways International (THAI) says passengers with flu symptoms should bring their medical records with them to the airport, or they might not be allowed to board the aircraft, because of the global swine flu alert.

The airline's Crisis Management Operation Centre director, Surapol Isarangkul Na Ayutthaya, said on Wednesday that Thai Airways had no plans to change its flight schedules and no passengers had cancelled because of the flu scare. 

However, intending passengers might not be allowed to board if they showed flu-like symptoms and could not provide proof of good health. 

The airline had informed its cabin crews of the severity of swine flu and ways to protect themselves from infection.

Mr Surapol believed cabin crews would have some immunity because they received annual influenza vaccinations.

Suvarnabhumi airport director Serirat Prasutanont said more staff had been assigned to help passengers, as some areas could be crowded because of the use of thermal scanners by health officials.