Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) plans to revise airport screening procedures, transitioning from handheld metal detectors to manual searches by October. This change aims to enhance safety following recommendations from the United States Aviation Security Assessment Program (USAP). However, airport workers have expressed concerns about passenger reactions to the new process.
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The revised screening, planned for full implementation by January 2027, follows the USAP's recommendations for improved security standards. Reportedly, the CAAT has yet to announce these changes officially. The new approach will include manual searches performed by officers of the same gender as passengers, in addition to walk-through metal detectors and body scanners.
Airport officers are authorized to search bags deemed suspicious without notifying passengers beforehand. These searches must be recorded and can be shown to passengers upon request. Concerns about delays and discomfort have been raised, as manual searches involve physical contact and could lead to complaints, especially if valuables are lost.
In addition to these screening changes, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has announced an increase in passenger service charges (PSC) for international flights, from 730 baht to 1,120 baht, effective June 20. This has sparked debate, with some warning it could deter international travelers, as the charges may exceed those at major global airports.
Former Democrat Party leader Samart Ratchaphongsit emphasized that increased PSCs should enhance airport facilities rather than increase profits, reported The Thaiger.
Key Takeaways
Thailand will shift to manual airport passenger searches by October.
Officers can search bags without prior notice, leading to concerns.
International flight service charges will rise on June 20.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 23 Feb 2026
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