Guard caught stealing from traveller at Suvarnabhumi

Guard caught stealing from traveller at Suvarnabhumi

A guard manning an X-ray machine at Suvarnabhumi airport is caught with 6,000 baht he allegedly stole from an American traveller. (Photo by Sutthiwit Chayutworakarn)
A guard manning an X-ray machine at Suvarnabhumi airport is caught with 6,000 baht he allegedly stole from an American traveller. (Photo by Sutthiwit Chayutworakarn)

A security guard at Suvarnabhumi airport was caught after pilfering 6,000 baht from a passenger's carry-on bag at an x-ray station on Tuesday evening.

Thanat Monthonrat was apprehended by airport police and staff about 5.30pm. 

The 25-year-old man works for a company which supplies security staff for the airport. He was assigned to the x-ray machine at the passenger entry portal. 

Police said an 89-year-old American traveller complained that six 1,000-baht banknotes he had in his bag when he gave it up to be x-rayed were missing when he collected it.

Officers went to the scanning spot, where Mr Thanat was working. 

A search found 6,000 baht notes in his uniform pocket, but the guard denied he stole the money, police  said. 

Surveillance camera footage at the scene provided convincing evidence and Mr Thanat  later confessed to stealing the money, according to police. 

Mr Thanat said he needed the money to go back to his home province of Prachuap Khiri Khan. He had worked at the airport for less than a month and was paid 580 baht a day.

According to police, he said the work was too arduous for him and he wanted to go back to his home province to find another job. As he did not have enough money, he decided to steal it.

Kittipong Kittikachorn, deputy general manager of Suvarnabhumi airport, said management of the firm that hired the man had been notified and had been called to a meeting. They would be told to be more careful when screening people for the job. 

This offence was committed by an individual, he said. The airport’s security remained up to standard. 

Since the American passenger had already left Thailand, the money would be sent to him, along with an explanation, to boost his confidence in Thailand, Mr Kittipong said.

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