NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: An airport security officer accused of rudely threatening to kick a woman for bringing a dog inside the terminal has been suspended and faces an immediate investigation into his behaviour.
A security staff points at the woman during their argument inside the terminal of Nakhon Si Thammarat airport on Thursday. (Screen capture from Natthani Wihokrit Facebook account)
Nakhon Si Thammarat airport general manager Suksawad Sukwanno on Friday the man was employed by Guard Force, which was contracted to provide security at the terminal.
The airport also issued a statement apologising to the woman.
The security guard, whose name was not disclosed, confronted a woman identified in a Facebook account as Nattinee Vihokrith inside the airport terminal on Thursday.
She had arrived there with her younger brother, who had a flight to catch. They also had a dog with them.
The guard told her that dogs were not allowed in the building, but she argued that another guard outside had let her brother take the pet in.
At one point the guard said: "Stop. I will be fined only 500 baht if I kick a woman. I do not care. I can pay even 1,000 baht."
The woman also said an interview with Thairath Online that the man threatened to slap her face.
She took the dog outside, registered a complaint with the public relations office of the airport and posted a brief video clip of part of the heated confrontation on her account.
The airport general manager said the woman was not aware that pets were banned from entering the airport building.
More signs would be posted advising people that pets were not allowed, he said.
Clip taken from Nattinee Vihokrith Facebook page.