The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will introduce new rules allowing security officers to open checked baggage without passengers present if X-ray screening detects potentially dangerous items. The regulations take effect on October 16.

The new rules apply to checked baggage and are intended to strengthen airport security in line with international standards.

Under the regulations, security officers may inspect checked luggage if X-ray images reveal prohibited items, suspicious objects or anything that could pose a risk to aviation security.

Passengers will not need to be present while their bags are opened.

Thailand airports to allow baggage inspections without passengers | Thaiger

Thai airport security has discovered the unboxing video. Let’s hope they film the right suitcase.

I can't wait for all the reports of items missing from checked bags.

I've lost things I brought back here, along with some items in the postal service I sent here before I moved here. Food, which is a pretty weird way to risk your job.

Let’s not forget that this has been regular practice in the US for many years ( not sure if they actually filmed the process ).

Carrying tools i frequently found the slip of paper in my suitcase and toolcase.

Don’t recall ever losing any items though.

Once had a suitcase delayed by 1 week to find the lock gone & the internal part where the handle retracts into, sawed through. I don't know if this happened in Bangkok or Doha.

I think I worked out why it happened, I was going back to the UK during winter so picked up an old North Face jacket that I hadn't used in 3-5 years & didn't notice that the humidity had caused the lining to disintegrate leaving lots of white powder in my case, it probably didn't help that the only things in the case were 2 T-shirts, 3 pairs of underwear/socks & my Macbook charger (I have everything I need already in the UK so only take a case with me so I can bring stuff back).

Qatar Airlines were great, absolutely no arguments about replacing the suitcase or reimbursing me for the Macbook charger I had to buy, even though I got the old one back.

3 hours ago, gargamon said:

I can't wait for all the reports of items missing from checked bags.

Or items placed in the bags, for extortion purposes.

Ludicrous

Security the world over for decades have been able to open bags when suspicious items are viewed on scanning

Anyone who thinks this is something new needs to give their head a wobble

Edited in.....twice I have picked up bags at Heathrow with Thai "inspected tape" wrapped around it as far back as 2008

Edited July 24Jul 24 by Chivas

On 7/23/2026 at 10:33 AM, KhunHeineken said:

Or items placed in the bags, for extortion purposes.

Or placed drugs. We need to smooth over the relationship with the airline stewardess who was arrested so we can prove that foreigners are worse.

6 hours ago, Chivas said:

Ludicrous

Security the world over for decades have been able to open bags when suspicious items are viewed on scanning

Anyone who thinks this is something new needs to give their head a wobble

Edited in.....twice I have picked up bags at Heathrow with Thai "inspected tape" wrapped around it as far back as 2008

SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Fortunately, Heathrow is not in Thailand. Thailand has so far, but perhaps no longer, been the country where responsible, law-abiding adults who are not in the category of those who need help understanding what is and is not legal, create queues or smuggle items that one should understand are not legal to bring across the borders.

Felt

On 7/23/2026 at 4:33 AM, KhunHeineken said:

Or items placed in the bags, for extortion purposes.

Has this happened to you, or anyone you know?

2 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

Or placed drugs. We need to smooth over the relationship with the airline stewardess who was arrested so we can prove that foreigners are worse.

Or posting nonsense. We need to find as many ways as possible to bash Thailand regardless of how dumb it sounds.

Much ado about nothing. I have picked my bags off the carousel and found the "security checked" sticker on the outside and the note inside advising it had been searched by airside security. Nothing ever stolen and get this, never had drugs put inside either. I feel cheated. Who should I complain to?

Bash on.

20 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Has this happened to you, or anyone you know?

No, but are you suggesting it has never happened, anywhere?

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

No, but are you suggesting it has never happened, anywhere?

I'm suggesting it hasn't happened in Thailand.

What has happened in other airports in other countries is irrelevant.

Just like the US, they leave a Homeland Security bookmark inside. My only worry would be somebody pinching my gold bars.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

I'm suggesting it hasn't happened in Thailand.

Link please.

4 hours ago, NanLaew said:

What has happened in other airports in other countries is irrelevant.

Not really. Crime, corruption, and scams do the rounds.

Do you remember this scam at Bangkok Airport?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm

Perhaps you can enlighten us on what other scams have not happened in airports around Thailand. 🙂

6 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Link please.

Not really. Crime, corruption, and scams do the rounds.

Do you remember this scam at Bangkok Airport?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8154497.stm

Perhaps you can enlighten us on what other scams have not happened in airports around Thailand. 🙂

OMG! Yes....I had almost forgotten about that one-off event from almost 30 years ago. Well done! You must be proud.

As for me searching for more non-events, there's no need to spoil your "moment" of forum fame, is there?

34 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

OMG! Yes....I had almost forgotten about that one-off event from almost 30 years ago. Well done! You must be proud.

As for me searching for more non-events, there's no need to spoil your "moment" of forum fame, is there?

More recent cases of theft by airport workers.

Phuket International Airport.

Thaiger

UPDATE: One more airport worker arrested for stealing pas...

After three Phuket airport staff were arrested for stealing passengers’ valuables on Saturday, police extended their investigation and arrested another staff member, 28 year old Kwanchai Butchai, from

nationthailand

Phuket airport worker arrested for theft of passenger’s p...

A worker carrying luggage at Phuket International Airport has been arrested for allegedly stealing a smartphone belonging to an Indian passenger after the stolen phone mailed photos to the owner.

On 7/24/2026 at 2:37 PM, Felt 35 said:

Or placed drugs.

Drugs or bullets coming to a suitcase near you.

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

More recent cases of theft by airport workers.

Phuket International Airport.

Thaiger

UPDATE: One more airport worker arrested for stealing pas...

After three Phuket airport staff were arrested for stealing passengers’ valuables on Saturday, police extended their investigation and arrested another staff member, 28 year old Kwanchai Butchai, from

nationthailand

Phuket airport worker arrested for theft of passenger’s p...

A worker carrying luggage at Phuket International Airport has been arrested for allegedly stealing a smartphone belonging to an Indian passenger after the stolen phone mailed photos to the owner.

But no "items placed in the bags, for extortion purposes" though.

Thought so .

Edited July 25Jul 25 by NanLaew

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

OMG! Yes....I had almost forgotten about that one-off event from almost 30 years ago. Well done! You must be proud.

As for me searching for more non-events, there's no need to spoil your "moment" of forum fame, is there?

That one off event from 30 years ago that had CCTV of them stealing the items.

On 7/24/2026 at 8:12 AM, Chivas said:

Ludicrous

Security the world over for decades have been able to open bags when suspicious items are viewed on scanning

Anyone who thinks this is something new needs to give their head a wobble

Edited in.....twice I have picked up bags at Heathrow with Thai "inspected tape" wrapped around it as far back as 2008

From US security 15 years ago. My little padlock, broken and taped to the side of my bag.

12 hours ago, NanLaew said:

But no "items placed in the bags, for extortion purposes" though.

Thought so .

In the past, the bags had to be searched in front of you.

Past:

Officer: "Are these your bags?"

Traveler: "Yes."

Officer: "Did you pack these bags yourself?"

Traveler: "Yes."

Officer: "I am now going to search your bags in front of you."

Future:

Officer: "Come with me to the office."

Traveler: "Why?"

Officer: "We found this in your bag."

Traveler: "That's not mine."

Officer: "For 100k baht it will not be yours."

Traveler: "Ok."

A lot like the Bangkok airport shop lifting scam that has happened in the past.

Yeah, yeah, I know, impossible. 😂

It's the main reason I use TSA locks on my luggage. The indicator on the lock shows me when the bag has been opened, so I can bring this to the attention of staff at the arrival airport.

Edited July 26Jul 26 by KhunHeineken

22 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

No, but are you suggesting it has never happened, anywhere?

Years ago there was an extortion scam at Manila International where a bullet, just one, was "discovered" in checked bags. They eventually busted the crooked cops.

43 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

In the past, the bags had to be searched in front of you.

Past:

Officer: "Are these your bags?"

Traveler: "Yes."

Officer: "Did you pack these bags yourself?"

Traveler: "Yes."

Officer: "I am now going to search your bags in front of you."

Future:

Officer: "Come with me to the office."

Traveler: "Why?"

Officer: "We found this in your bag."

Traveler: "That's not mine."

Officer: "For 100k baht it will not be yours."

Traveler: "Ok."

A lot like the Bangkok airport shop lifting scam that has happened in the past.

Yeah, yeah, I know, impossible. 😂

It's the main reason I use TSA locks on my luggage. The indicator on the lock shows me when the bag has been opened, so I can bring this to the attention of staff at the arrival airport.

They shoplifting scam was nonsense, it's an urban myth. There was CCTV of the people clearly shoplifting.

But thanks to people like you the myth perpetuates. Well done.

13 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

From US security 15 years ago. My little padlock, broken and taped to the side of my bag.

"... Security the world over for decades have been able to open bags when suspicious items are viewed on scanning..."

The law, in all countries, must be as above. If scanning discovers an illegal item e.g. explosives, but customs have to let it pass bceause the law doesn't allow them to inspect further then I don't want to be on that flight.

29 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Years ago there was an extortion scam at Manila International where a bullet, just one, was "discovered" in checked bags. They eventually busted the crooked cops.

It's happened a lot at Phuket Airport.

Here's one of the more recent cases.

https://www.thephuketnews.com/turkish-tourist-arrested-at-phuket-airport-after-bullet-found-in-luggage-95236.php

11 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

They shoplifting scam was nonsense, it's an urban myth. There was CCTV of the people clearly shoplifting.

But thanks to people like you the myth perpetuates. Well done.

So, the BBC news link I posted is fake new, is that right?

4 minutes ago, scorecard said:

"... Security the world over for decades have been able to open bags when suspicious items are viewed on scanning..."

The law, in all countries, must be as above. If scanning discovers an illegal item e.g. explosives, but customs have to let it pass bceause the law doesn't allow them to inspect further then I don't want to be on that flight.

Yes, I don't have a problem with it. I just felt bad for my little padlock which had been violated.

The only thing that is slightly wrong is that this was done on arrival, not on departure. So not searching for explosives, just contraband, of which there was none.

Still, I don't have a problem with it, but they could have asked me to unlock it instead of bolt cutting it.