The general manager of Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport said Saturday he will fire the security guard who almost punched a Chinese national that had been denied entry to the country on Thursday night.
Following footage of the incident going viral in China, the airport’s general manager Suthirawat Suwanawat said at a press conference on Saturday the guard in question would be fired over the assault. He also said that he himself would be suspended from his job for 30 days for allowing the incident to take place under his watch.
In the video, a guard can be seen engaging in an argument with a Chinese man before taking a swing in an attempt to punch him.
The Chinese man evades the punch and is seen shouting and pointing at the guard while another guard attempts to calm the situation.
Suthirawat explained that the mainlander flew to Bangkok from Jakarta on a Lion Air flight Thursday night, but since he couldn’t provide documents about his accommodations in Thailand, he was rejected by Immigration, Khaosod reported.
“When the officer arrived and did his duty, the passenger refused to cooperate, started causing a disturbance, and attempted to escape via the Bus Gate. However, the officer did overreact, and his action is considered a serious violation of discipline. The punishment is expulsion,” Suthirawat said.
He said that Airport of Thailand regretted the incident, which has greatly affected Thailand’s image.
The passenger was deported on a flight to Guangzhou, China, about 2 hours after the incident, but Thailand will issue a written apology to him via the Chinese Embassy.
Meanwhile, PM Prayuth Chan-ocha also expressed his concern over the assault yesterday and has instructed related agencies to work to restore the confidence of Chinese tourists, according to government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.
Chinese perceptions of Thailand have already been darkened by a boat tragedy in July that led to the deaths of 47 Chinese tourists and which the government predicts will cause the number of Chinese arrivals to plunge.
Prayuth said via his spokesman that the officer in question should have treated the Chinese man in keeping with international practices and, since the airport is the first gate to Thailand, quality of service is very important, according to Matichon.
China contributes the largest percentage of tourists to Thailand, making up 28 percent of the 35 million visitor arrivals last year.
