The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has invested 100 million baht to improve security screen areas at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Eight full body scanners will be implemented for maximum security checks, according to AoT senior executive vice-president and acting president Nirandra Theeranartsin.
"We will relocate the security checkpoint zone from behind the immigration service areas to a new mezzanine floor, where passengers must take an escalator up to walk through the scanners and then take another escalator down to the immigration areas," he said.
The mezzanine used to be a lounge covering 4,500m2. He said the relocation would free up the existing security check area for other passenger-service purposes.
The AoT will soon launch a Term of Reference (ToR) for bidding for the scanners. The new security area is under renovation and will be finished with the new scanner implementation by the end of this year.
According to AoT, Suvarnabhumi Airport served 42.38 million passengers last year, of whom 12 million were domestic.
According to latest statistics, passenger numbers increase about 6% year by year. AoT expects passenger numbers to increase by 2.5 million on last year.
"Passengers will be close to the maximum capacity at 45 million this year. We need to have both short-term and long-term plans to tackle congestion, and improve facilities and services," Nirandra noted.
The short-term plan is to make the most use of existing space, including the renovation of the security check areas on both east and west wings. The AoT also plans to use Gates A and B of the domestic terminal to serve international flights at night.
For the long-term plan, the airport must expand its facilities to a second phase, he said, including building a new domestic terminal.
"It will take 3-4 years to build a new terminal at a cost of 9.3 billion baht," he said. The new terminal will be able to handle 20 million passengers a year. The goal is to make Suvarnabhumi International Airport handle up to 65 million passengers a year by 2015, he said.
Plans for the new terminal will soon be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
Meanwhile, AoT has joined hands with King Power to promote the 5th anniversary of Suvarnabhumi International Airport by distributing a lucky-draw coupon to those who spend at least 5,000 baht at King Power's Duty Free or pay at least 500 baht in any dinning outlets at the airport. Prizes for the lucky draw are five gift vouchers worth one million baht each.
The campaign ends on Nov 15, and winners will be announced on Nov 17 at www.suvarnabhumiairport.com and www.kingpower.com.
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