A Hong Kong traveller has accused a mainland Chinese passenger of attempting to steal cash from his suitcase on a flight to Bangkok, after allegedly finding the man searching through the bag.

The confrontation was recorded by the traveller and later circulated widely on social media. Police investigation remains ongoing after the flight arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Suitcase allegedly taken from overhead locker

The traveller said the other passenger removed his suitcase from the overhead compartment, carried it to his own seat and opened it in a search for cash.

He noticed what was happening and challenged the man. The traveller said it was the second time in two months that he had encountered a theft on a flight.

Picture courtesy of X @RonallChersan

After landing at Suvarnabhumi, he contacted officials and accompanied the passenger to police, saying he wanted the matter formally pursued.

During the walk to police, the alleged thief asked whether making a report would be a waste of time. The traveller refused to let the matter go, telling him to continue walking so officers could deal with it.

The passenger then offered to pay for anything the traveller had lost. The traveller and officials pointed out that police were waiting nearby.

Passenger denies taking anything

The accused passenger denied stealing anything and suggested he might simply have picked up the wrong suitcase. He argued that the traveller had not actually lost anything.

The traveller rejected that explanation, saying his suitcase looked entirely different from the other man's bag. He said the cash had already been visible, and accused the passenger of trying but failing to take it.

The exchange continued when the traveller asked the man whether he was from China. The man confirmed he was, prompting the traveller to tell him: "You have lost face for Chinese people abroad."

The passenger again denied taking anything and described the complaint as a waste of time. The traveller replied that he had time, adding that the man could otherwise steal from somebody else on another occasion.

Reminder for passengers arriving in Thailand

For foreigners visiting or living in Thailand, the case is a reminder to keep passports, cash, bank cards and other valuables in a small bag kept close by during a flight, rather than leaving them unattended in an overhead locker.

Anyone who believes property has been tampered with on arrival can alert airline staff, airport officials or police before leaving the airport. In this case, the traveller chose to report the matter immediately after arriving at Suvarnabhumi.

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31 August 2026

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They will be after that 20,000 baht obligated to them!