File photon courtesy of iStock | via The Thaiger

 

THAILAND - Thai airports are set to reassure holiday travellers, as the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mallika Chiraphanwanit, orders accuracy checks on luggage scales. This initiative comes as airports prepare for the busy 2026 new year travel season, aiming to prevent disputes over excess baggage fees and enhance airline safety.

 

Mallika's directive, issued on December 6, calls for collaboration between the Department of Airports (DOA) and provincial trade offices to ensure scales meet accurate standards. This proactive step is designed to bolster passenger confidence and ensure smoother airport operations during peak travel times. By verifying scales, airports aim to maintain smooth check-ins and avert passenger exasperation caused by inaccurate baggage fees.

 

Ensuring precise luggage weighing is not only about avoiding extra costs but also a matter of safety, as accurate total aircraft weight calculations are essential. Danai Rueangsorn, Director General of the DOA, confirmed that various airports have begun this crucial task. Airports like Nan Nakhon, Roi Et, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Udon Thani have conducted inspections with regional weigh centres to ensure compliance.

 

For example, Khon Kaen Airport worked alongside the Northeastern Weighing Centre, while Udon Thani Airport liaised with the Branch Office of Weighing and Measuring. Inspectors reported all scales as fully operational and in line with necessary standards. The department has pledged to accelerate the inspection processes, ensuring convenient and confident travel for passengers ahead of the holiday rush, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways 

 

• Thai airports are verifying luggage scales to prevent errors and fees.
• Accurate baggage weight is critical for safety and passenger assurance.
• Inspections are underway, ensuring operational standards are met.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-08

 

 

 

To be accurate, are they going to weight passengers as well??

I wonder how they check the scales' accuracy.

So they have checked their scales, and can now accurately calculate excess baggage fees and this is going to bolster passenger confidence and enhance airline safety. Got it.

just another way to squeeze any Extricate a few more baht now they have fewer tourist arrivals.

16 minutes ago, Lalo27 said:

To be accurate, are they going to weight passengers as well??

Nok Air did that to us some years ago flying from Chiang mai to udon thani

20 minutes ago, Lalo27 said:

To be accurate, are they going to weight passengers as well??

I very much doubt, but they should!!

12 minutes ago, Qarsaan said:

I wonder how they check the scales' accuracy.

They have reference samples, which are accurately measured to specific weights, they put them on each scale being calibrated, and tune it to reading the same weight for all reference samples.

 

Basically, just like any other scientific machinery that requires regular calibration.

11 minutes ago, Qarsaan said:

I wonder how they check the scales' accuracy.

Well they could put a calibrated weight on,  and see what the scale says?

OIML Class M1 or F2 calibrated weights (legally traceable to national standards — must have a current certificate).

Usually a 32 kg or 50 kg stackable set in a wheeled case.

Digital indicator must print a calibration certificate on the spot.

27 minutes ago, Qarsaan said:

I wonder how they check the scales' accuracy.

Easy, you put a series of known weights on the scales and see if it reads the same... 

I have a hand-held electronic weight measuring device to check weight (both metric and royal).

Also nearby 7-11 has weight scales to check accuracy of my device as well. 

1 hour ago, Farmer1956 said:

Nok Air did that to us some years ago flying from Chiang mai to udon thani

And when the maximum weight was reached, the last three overweight individuals were not permitted to participate, correct?😂

42 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

And when the maximum weight was reached, the last three overweight individuals were not permitted to participate, correct?😂

Or an airside gym/sauna to sweat those pesky pounds off?

Its only about the money not safety

Great, more checks. 🙄

Actually it’s a good thing as people take the piss with huge cabin bags. They should really be weighing passengers though. Enough with the tiptoeing around shaming. If I’m normal weight but am 1kg over on my bag I get the shaft, while guy 3x my size with bag weight within limits in same cost seat gets a free pass?

7 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Great, more checks. 🙄

Actually it’s a good thing as people take the piss with huge cabin bags. They should really be weighing passengers though. Enough with the tiptoeing around shaming. If I’m normal weight but am 1kg over on my bag I get the shaft, while guy 3x my size with bag weight within limits in same cost seat gets a free pass?

Took the words out of my mouth.

 

A couple of kilos over on checked luggage results in a extra charge, yet a 50kg overweight lump gets a warm welcome.

Nothing to do with safety, that's for sure.

"Thai Airports Tighten Bag Checks Before Holiday Travel"

 

They're not "tighten[ing] bag checks", they're just calibrating luggage scales. And this isn't taking place at "Thai airports" writ large, but only at those run by the Department of Airports - which are the smallest and least busy airports in the country. AOT, which operates all of the major airports, does not appear to have any part in this project.

4 hours ago, Lalo27 said:

To be accurate, are they going to weight passengers as well??

They will be soon .just like normal snail mail one has to Pay by  Weight.

4 hours ago, Lalo27 said:

To be accurate, are they going to weight passengers as well??

 

That's why it's a load of rubbish: a few kilos of baggage weight compared with one passenger who weighs 55kg and the next who weighs 130kg, rinse and repeat, and the truth of it is, they've got no "weigh" 😆 of knowing.

2 hours ago, ozz1 said:

Its only about the money not safety

 

You got it in one!

5 hours ago, mikeymike100 said:

Well they could put a calibrated weight on,  and see what the scale says?

OIML Class M1 or F2 calibrated weights (legally traceable to national standards — must have a current certificate).

Usually a 32 kg or 50 kg stackable set in a wheeled case.

Digital indicator must print a calibration certificate on the spot.

And who is going to ask to see that?  My take, pay whatever to get on the plane. I don’t think anyone is carrying on 32kg. That would be a giant backup. lol. I actually (a few years ago) stand on the scale with my carry on to fly Thai air to Singapore 

6 hours ago, thenewgoo said:

So they have checked their scales, and can now accurately calculate excess baggage fees and this is going to bolster passenger confidence and enhance airline safety. Got it.

You do understand that inaccurate scales can be over as well as under ?

maybe complaints about excess luggage claims have forced their hands and are now putting a positive spin on the story 

Airport baggage scales are supposed to be checked and calibrated regularly — but in reality, most are barely checked at all. Here’s exactly how it works (and why you still can’t trust them):

 

What actually happens in 2025

Airports / Ground-handling companies (Swissport, Menzies, dnata, etc.)

Must be verified at least once per year with certified test weights (IATA Recommended Practice 1703 + local civil aviation rules)

 

Many only get a proper calibration every 2–5 years. Quick “zero checks” are done daily, but full accuracy tests with 10 kg / 20 kg / 32 kg certified weights are rare.

Airlines (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz, etc.)

Can demand re-calibration if they suspect errors

 

Low-cost carriers almost never do — it costs them money and slows the queue.

National regulators (CAA in UK, DGAC in France, etc.)

Can fine airports for out-of-tolerance scales

Fines are tiny and almost never issued. Last big UK CAA action was 2018.

6 hours ago, thenewgoo said:

So they have checked their scales, and can now accurately calculate excess baggage fees and this is going to bolster passenger confidence and enhance airline safety. Got it.

 

Last time I checked (in October), different scales at Suvarnabhumi Airport showed different weight for the same pieces of baggage... 😆

6 hours ago, BarraMarra said:

just another way to squeeze any Extricate a few more baht now they have fewer tourist arrivals.

I must have it wrong, I always thought baggage charges were paid to the airline.

I knew some that got caught out when British Airways introduced the cabin bag only ticket between London & Bangkok. Also on Emirates with their different versions of "economy".

Always best to check the small print.

7 hours ago, thenewgoo said:

So they have checked their scales, and can now accurately calculate excess baggage fees and this is going to bolster passenger confidence and enhance airline safety. Got it.

It is a question of perspective, the scales are only a service provided to the airline by the airport.

If they are perceived to be badly maintained and out of calibration the obvious question is what else is being neglected.

Not getting an empty seat flying stand-by on a flight with Weight Restrictions can be a bummer; however, necessary for  safety reasons.  Roll me over to the next flight please.  

There have been many incidents over the years where an an aircraft has failed to outclimb an obstruction on run off the end of a runway due to overloading.

14 hours ago, Lalo27 said:

To be accurate, are they going to weight passengers as well??

Won't Donald be getting into Thailand then?

16 hours ago, Qarsaan said:

I wonder how they check the scales' accuracy.

 

There are standardized weights. They are put on scales to verify.