Airports of Thailand will today name acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej as a new board member to help crack down on stubborn mafia-type gangs at Suvarnabhumi airport. At today's meeting of the AoT board, chaired by Saprang Kalayanamitr, the issue of adding a new member would be discussed and Pol Gen Seripisuth, who is known for his tough action against criminals, would be the first choice, a Transport Ministry source said.
Gen Saprang, also assistant army chief, vowed to wipe out mafia gangs at the airport when he became chairman late last year, but the problem continues to mar the airport's image.
The gangs, believed to be run by ''men in uniform'', are reportedly involved in many businesses. Rackets such as illegal limousine services and extortion of taxi drivers are said to be orchestrated by influential figures.
Many scholars with records of outstanding work against corruption have been invited to join the AoT board.
They include former Bangkok senator Chermsak Pinthong and Tortrakul Yomnak, former president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand.
A source on the AoT board said its members would also discuss the unusual delays, dubbed ''neutral gear,'' in solving problems plaguing the airport since its opening in September last year.
One problem is further action against King Power International Group, whose contracts to run duty-free shops and sub-lease commercial space with the AoT were terminated as it was found to have evaded the Public-Private Joint Venture Act.
But, the source said, a new coffee shop has been set up on the 2nd floor of the terminal. Airport staff were unaware of it, according to an initial probe. The AoT board meeting today would set out clearly how to deal with the violators.
BangkokPost
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