BANGKOK, Thailand – Don Mueang International Airport has urged passengers to check their luggage carefully before departure after security staff found 1,122 prohibited or non-compliant items in checked baggage during a seven-day inspection period. The airport said the checks followed new regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), which took effect on October 16, 2026, governing the inspection of checked baggage carried aboard aircraft.
Between October 16 and 22, airport staff inspected 927 checked bags and found 1,122 items that were prohibited or did not meet transport requirements. The most frequently detected items were power banks, lighters, electronic cigarettes and flammable materials.
Don Mueang Airport said checked baggage may be opened for inspection when there are reasonable grounds to suspect it contains prohibited items, dangerous goods or objects that could threaten aircraft or passenger safety. Such inspections do not necessarily have to take place in front of the passenger, but must follow CAAT procedures.
Passengers are advised to check their belongings before checking in luggage. Items prohibited in checked baggage include power banks, spare batteries, certain battery-powered devices, explosives, weapons, flammable substances and hazardous chemicals. Restrictions may vary depending on the item and airline, so travellers should confirm the applicable rules before packing.
The airport also recommends using approved luggage locks, such as TSA locks, to help reduce the risk of damage if a bag must be opened. When an inspection is conducted, staff will record images of the process and place a Notice of Baggage Inspection inside the luggage to inform the owner.
Passengers are also advised not to pack valuables in checked baggage.
The airport said the measures are intended to reduce safety risks and prevent problems during air travel, while reminding passengers that checking baggage contents before departure can help avoid delays and inconvenience. (TNA)
