Section: General News - Hotels in Bangkok have introduced further security measures following the bomb attacks in Hat Yai and Songkhla last week, with many installing additional closed-circuit TV cameras and employing more security guards, The Nation reports..
The Oriental Hotel plans to install four new CCTV cameras this month, bringing the total number to 200 compared to just 100 last year. The hotel has also increased its number of security guards to 61.
The hotel's director of security Kongkrit Ananwiroj said that the security system is now so precise that cameras can zoom in to survey every corner of the area surrounding the hotel and even capture movements made on the New Road, which is about 500 metres away from the hotel's grounds. The cameras also survey the Chao Phya River area and the restaurant located opposite the hotel.
The hotel was put on a high security alert immediately after the bombs in Hat Yai last Sunday night. Along with this initiative, all of our staff have been instructed to vigilantly observe the hotel for any strange individuals or occurrences, he added.
The Shangri-La, another riverside hotel, has brought its total of closed-circuit cameras up to more than 200, ensuring that all parts of the property are under close watch. The hotel is one of Bangkok's largest, consisting of 799 rooms plus conference rooms and restaurants. The hotel has employed stricter security measures since a terrorist attack on a nightclub in Bali killed hundreds of tourists in 2002.
The five-star Dusit Thani Hotel also tightened its security ahead of the Songkran Festival. The hotel's security personnel individually check all cars arriving at the parking lot and the rest of the property will be under close observation via CCTVs.
Sofitel Central Plaza Hotel in Chatuchak and the nearby Central Department Store have also alerted their staff to be extra vigilant in terms of security. A suspicious box recently caused a security alert in the area but it was found to be a false alarm.
The Landmark Hotel Bangkok has also employed a series of safety measures to ensure their customers' safety, focusing on potential terrorist attacks and bomb threats.
ML Chantanipa Kasemsri, director of communications, said the hotel would be on the lookout for any suspicious activity and would be closely monitoring individuals, cars and any suspicious belongings found on the premises. As well as increasing the number of security guards it has on patrol the hotel is also in direct communication with explosive ordnance disposal specialists.
Security at three popular island resorts has also been increased to help deal with the significant number of tourists arriving to celebrate Songkran. Extra police have been deployed to closely monitor the piers on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Checkpoints and roadblocks have been set up on the islands' piers and roads and some 200 local officers will be mobilised to evacuate passengers within 10 minutes in the case of ferry accidents.
Airports of Thailand Plc, which operates six international airports within the country, set up increased security operations at each following the recent bomb attacks in Hat Yai. The airport security operations that are on alert around the clock include those at Bangkok International Airport.
All 10 Asean member states have called on all airports to implement tight security measures to ensure the safety of passengers. In support of this request, the Department of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Transport have said that airport security will be improved through human resources development to support the information technology that the security systems are reliant on.
