Security around Suvarnabhumi Airport tightened after drone sightings

Security around Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been stepped up after residents in Bang Phli district and the King Kaeo area reported sightings of several dotted lights in the sky at about 7.30pm on Saturday.

The reported sightings of unknown objects, believed to be drones, were either reported to local officials in Bang Phli district or posted on social media. These reports prompted Samut Prakan police, local authorities and airport security officials to hold an urgent meeting on Sunday, launch an investigation and increase security around the airport.

Roadblocks have been set up on roads within a 9-kilometre radius of the airport to check suspicious vehicles and individuals as a precautionary measure while the investigation is under way. No suspects have been detained for questioning so far.

Some witnesses told the media that the lights were unlike aircraft lights they had seen before, while others expressed concern about airport security, saying the lights appeared unusual.

Pol Col Phisut Chantarasuwan, superintendent of Bang Kaeo police, said he had assigned officers to inspect all suspicious vehicles and individuals entering the 9-kilometre safety zone for weapons or other illegal items.