Airport courtroom opens to hear first foreigners’ cases
A special courtroom set up at Suvarnabhumi airport to deal with crimes committed against foreigners opened yesterday with the first cases being heard via video conference at the Samut Prakan Provincial Court.
Supreme Court president Pairoj Wayupab presided over the launch of the airport court, aimed at making it easier for foreign visitors to testify.
The move comes following an increase in the number of complaints to authorities by foreign visitors.
Courts of Justice secretary-general Virat Chinvinitkul said more than 20 million foreign travellers visit Thailand each year
Tourists have fallen victim to various crimes and scams, including over-pricing of goods and services.
This court would allow foreign travellers and tourists to give their testimony before leaving the country since they are only in Thailand for short periods, Mr Virat said.
Airports of Thailand Plc has set aside space for the courtroom, which is equipped with a video conference system.
A similar courtroom opened earlier in Pattaya and another will be launched in Phuket today.
Suvarnabhumi airport’s courtroom, if warmly received, will be upgraded to become a branch of the Samut Prakan Provincial Court, he said.
The court in Pattaya was already doing well. The first case heard there involved a speedboat accident in Pattaya on Aug 28 in which two Chinese tourists were killed, Mr Virat said.
Awirut Charnchaikittikorn, chief judge at the Samut Prakan court, said many
foreign travellers decide not to pursue cases as they are here for only a short time. This encourages those who commit crimes to carry on exploiting foreigners.
The airport room and Samut Prakan court will handle cases committed anywhere in the country against foreigners.
The plaintiffs will give testimony in the airport court room to judges sitting at the Samut Prakan court via video conference.
The Suvarnabhumi courtroom is located in the CIP Room on the third floor of the passenger terminal.