Thai travel agency workers fight to win customers at Krabi Airport
Residents expressed concern about Thailand’s tourism image after witnessing two Thai travel agency workers fight each other to win customers at Krabi International Airport in southern Thailand.
A 37 year old woman named Su shared pictures of herself with injuries to Channel 7 to seek justice after her rival, Oil, attacked her on Sunday, July 28. Su said the attack took place in the middle of Krabi Airport near Gate 17 at about 8.30am.
Su claimed that she was standing in front of her company counter when Oil unexpectedly slapped her in the face. Oil reportedly forced her head to the ground and repeatedly slapped her. Su attempted to fight back but Oil bit her knee and kicked her head.
Su stated that there were no security guards nearby and no security cameras installed at the spot. She sustained wounds across her body and felt dizzy after the attack. She was admitted to hospital before being discharged and reported the matter to Khlong Tom Police Station and Channel 7.
Oil came forward to address the media, asserting that Su had instigated the conflict by attempting to lure away her customers, who ultimately chose her company instead. She claimed that Su, enraged by the situation, had threatened her before the altercation ensued.
Channel 7 reported that their team had tried to reach Krabi Airport Director Kittichai Satjalaksans but was unsuccessful. The media noted that similar physical confrontations over customers had occurred at the airport on several previous occasions. Despite various measures taken by the management team to resolve the issue, the same conflicts continued to arise.
According to reports, both locals and other airport workers are concerned that these repeated altercations could damage Thailand’s tourism image. As of now, the airport director and relevant authorities have not provided a public statement clarifying the incident.
Another drama occurred at Krabi Airport in June when a taxi driver at the airport attempted to overcharge a Thai man 2,500 baht for a 12-kilometre trip which usually cost only about 400 baht. The man refused to use the taxi service and later shared his story to warn others and to call on the airport authorities to take action.
