Thai Airways is working to return baggage delayed at Suvarnabhumi Airport after heavy rain and flooding in Bangkok disrupted ground-handling operations. On 29 September, the airline said bags from 52 flights operated on 26-27 September were still being sorted and delivered.
Chief executive Chai Eamsiri apologised to affected passengers and said extra staff and resources had been assigned to sort, transport and return luggage as quickly as possible. Thai Airways expects the situation to ease on 29 September.
The disruption is especially relevant to visitors and expats travelling through Bangkok, including those with onward domestic connections or limited time in Thailand. Passengers whose bags are delayed are being asked to register a delivery address rather than wait at the airport.
Flooded homes leave airport teams short-staffed
Suvarnabhumi itself remained open, with aircraft able to take off and land. However, Thai Airways said many members of its ground-handling workforce live in eastern Bangkok, where floodwater had risen above one metre in some areas.
Some staff could not get to the airport because their homes and nearby roads were flooded. The shortage affected baggage loading and transport, passenger stair vehicles, and the movement of aircraft service equipment.
Chai said the airline had sent vehicles to collect employees from their homes, but some workers were unable to report for duty because they were concerned about their flooded properties. As staffing levels dropped below what was required, baggage and cargo built up at the airport.
Thai Airways also provides ground-handling services to other airlines, adding to the pressure on its Bangkok operation. It has asked Airports of Thailand to coordinate with other handling firms to take over some work for those airline customers.
The airline said it may consolidate or cancel flights in advance where operations cannot be managed, with affected passengers transferred to other carriers.
Delays spread to flights and baggage delivery
Thai Airways reported 34 delayed flights on 28 September and announced cancellations on certain routes for 29-30 September because of the Bangkok flooding situation.
Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said more than 100 military personnel had been deployed to help move accumulated bags and deliver them to passengers' hotels and homes.
He said the backlog was also affecting later flights, as aircraft carrying undelivered baggage could not operate normally and outbound passengers' luggage could not be loaded. Surasak criticised Thai Airways' management and said the disruption was harming tourism and the national carrier's image.
He added that the Finance Ministry should consider calling a Thai Airways board meeting to discuss the impact.
What affected passengers should do
Thai Airways said that passengers who have registered for baggage delivery should wait for Thai Airways staff to contact them by phone or email to confirm details before delivery.
Those collecting luggage themselves can contact the Baggage Service Office on Level 2, in front of the domestic passenger exit, from 06:30 to 23:30, on 0-2134-5373-74.
For baggage enquiries, domestic passengers can call 0-2134-5373-74. International passengers can call 0-2134-5466-68.
Picture courtesy of Khoasod
Related story
Thai-airways-baggage-delays-at-Suvarnabhumi
Join the discussion? 
29 September 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment