Airport visa-photo contractor to be fired

The management of Don Mueang airport will terminate its contract with PN99 Marketing Co, which provides a visa-on-arrival photograph service, for overcharging foreign visitors and other contractual violations.

Don Mueang airport general-manager Suthirawat Suwanawat said on Wednesday the move followed complaints from many visitors that the contractor overcharged them for photographs and misled them into paying for other services.

In May last year Airports of Thailand Plc agreed to allow PN99 Marketing to provide the photograph service at Don Mueang airport for five years. The company used a nine-square-metre area on the second floor of Terminal 1 at the airport.

The management of Don Mueang airport found in November last year that the company also sold SIM cards and overseas tour packages, and provided a currency exchange service, which were not included in its contract. The management issued a warning to the company.

In January the Chinese embassy advised them that Chinese travelers were overcharged for the photograph service. The airport management issued a warning in April.

On Aug 12, the Don Mueang airport security centre reported the company charged Indian visitors for filling out their immigration forms. The transport committee of the National Legislative Assembly also reported that the company charged a "facilitation fee" for Chinese travelers, Mr Suthirawat said.

He said the airport management was taking steps to terminate the contract in a manner that would avoid any inconvenience to immigration.