Security Operations At New Thailand Airport Not Yet Ready

The government has taken the correct decision to base an anti-terrorist operations centre at the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

But the sudden announcement of such a centre, combined with what seems to be an apparent lack of planning, open up a raft of questions. The success of the showpiece anti-terrorist exercise at the airport was clear. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seemed to react to the practice session by deciding suddenly to base an anti-terror centre at Suvarnabhumi. Without far better preparations and a strong explanation, there is a chance the plan will fail and regional cooperation against a common threat could actually be set back. Indeed, the plan for an airport anti-terrorism unit seems to have begun on Tuesday, when Mr Thaksin went to the airport with an entourage of ministers, officials, foreign diplomats and their military attaches. Right on schedule, a pretend-band of terrorists attempted to seize the Suvarnabhumi passenger terminal. In a late addition to their plans, the force playing the terrorists also tried to use a lethal toxic gas. Some 1,200 police, troops and elite paramilitary forces defeated the attackers, rescued the civilians and put a final end to both the plans and careers of the pretend-terrorists. The spectators, all of them, seemed impressed, although none so much as Mr Thaksin.

The next day, the prime minister let it be known he was taking a direct hand in the security of the airport, and the units in the exercise would form the core of a permanent anti-terrorist detachment. He promised new equipment, full funding for both a headquarters and weapons. Mr Thaksin even promised to call the top police and military officers to a single meeting, where they would agree to the premier's anti-terrorism plan. It was almost vintage Thaksin: A man, a plan, every part in its place, and final success.

In fact, the plan for an airport anti-terrorism centre is appropriate. Terrorists worldwide, in our region and inside Thailand all have frequently aimed attacks at airports and travellers. On April 3 last year, in a rare attack outside the three southern provinces, Thai terrorists bombed Hat Yai Airport, killing two and wounding 60 innocent people. Philippines-based followers of al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah have bombed airports in that country several times. The airport security check has become part of life around the world because terrorists constantly, and continuously, threaten airports and air travel.

Earlier this week, Malaysian authorities broke up a splinter terrorist group. It was based in Sabah state, loyal to the extremist mentality of Jemaah Islamiyah, and had recruits from three countries. The 12 arrested members of Darul Islam Sabah had weapons, bombs and terrorist manuals obtained from the internet. Its members had already helped the 2002 Bali bombers. Malaysian police arrested the group because members were about to travel to ''neighbouring countries'' to turn their planned violence into action.

Thailand always has been on the map of international terrorism. The first major assault on this country was in 1972, when Black September seized the Israeli embassy. Passenger planes have been hijacked both to and from Thailand. In 1981 a group called Commando Jihad hijacked a Garuda Indonesia flight to Bangkok. After three days, Indonesian commandos successfully stormed and retook the plane, killing the hijackers.

Mr Thaksin, however, must make a far better case for an airport anti-terrorist group than the apparently spur of the moment decision he has offered.

Most important are the details of where exactly such a force will be based, and how high its profile will be. Constant armed patrols of elite military forces is not the face the new airport must present to visitors. Commando-type units are a necessary part of prudent airport security. But the government must not lose sight of the fact that the purpose of the airport is to welcome visitors and business travellers, not to create an armed fortress.

NewsEdge