Boston bombing prompts Phuket Airport security boost

PHUKET: Security at Phuket International Airport has been boosted in the wake of the tragic bombing of the Boston Marathon on Monday, which killed three people and injured at least 180 more.

The move follows Pongsak Semsant, caretaker president of Airports of Thailand (AOT), announcing the security boost for all major AOT airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in Bangkok, and Chiang Mai International Airport.

“Executives of those airports have been instructed to increase their security measures around the clock,’ Mr Pongsak said.

Phuket Airport Director Prathuang Sornkham told the Phuket Gazette today, “We cannot reveal the details of the security measures, but we have closed some gates and entrances to make it easier for our guards to manage the situation.”

More officers and security guards are now on duty patrolling different areas of the airport, he added.

“We will continue with the heightened security measures until we are sure that the situation has improved or until we receive the order from the AOT headquarters to resume normal security protocols,” Mr Prathuang explained.

— Orawin Narabal