The operator of Thailand’s major airports has rejected claims from Cambodia that passengers transiting through Bangkok en route to Cambodia were subjected to unnecessary checks and baggage searches.
Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) on Friday dismissed an alert issued by the Cambodian embassy in France and circulated by Cambodian media, describing the claims as “untrue”.
AoT said it has never targeted passengers travelling to Cambodia for intensive questioning or luggage inspections that allegedly resulted in losses, as reported.
“AoT firmly confirms that all such allegations are entirely untrue,” the company said.
Most transit passengers travelling to Cambodia via Thailand transfer flights at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Earlier this week, the Cambodian embassy in France issued a travel advisory warning that passengers transiting through Suvarnabhumi Airport could face “excessive and unacceptable checks” by Thai authorities.
The embassy said the warning was based on complaints from European travellers and reported that some luggage went missing upon arrival in Phnom Penh.
“As a precautionary measure, travellers are strongly advised to favour itineraries that do not include transit through Thailand and to consider alternative airlines offering more appropriate and favourable transit conditions for travel to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” the advisory said.
The notice was first reported by Cambodian media outlets before being picked up by several Southeast Asian news agencies.
The advisory followed orders instructing immigration authorities at Thai airports to step up screening of Cambodian nationals arriving in Thailand and to tighten checks amid concerns over possible foreign mercenaries allegedly hired by Cambodia.
Cambodian authorities have denied deploying foreign soldiers despite escalating border clashes.
AoT said passenger and baggage handling services at Suvarnabhumi and other airports under its management comply with international aviation safety standards.
In addition to Suvarnabhumi, the company operates airports in Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket, Hat Yai and Don Mueang.
