BANGKOK, Thailand – Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has sharply criticised Thai Airways management over a major baggage backlog at Suvarnabhumi Airport, saying the airline’s handling of the crisis is damaging Thailand’s image among international travellers.
Surasak said on September 29 that he had personally experienced the problem after returning from the Asian Games and was among passengers who did not receive their baggage.
He said he had inspected the situation with officials from the Defence and Transport ministries and found that Thai Airways’ baggage handling had been disrupted partly because its staff were also being used to handle baggage for other airlines within the group.
Heavy rain and flooding also prevented many Thai Airways ground staff, particularly baggage handlers, from reaching the airport, causing luggage to accumulate. Passengers have reportedly faced waits of five to six hours or longer.
More than 100 military personnel have been requested to help move and sort the stranded baggage before it is delivered to passengers’ hotels or homes. Surasak acknowledged that military personnel do not have the same specialised experience as airline baggage staff but said Thai Airways had indicated the backlog could take three to four days to clear.
The Royal Thai Air Force has confirmed that it deployed personnel to Suvarnabhumi to assist with stranded baggage and cargo after flooding affected Thai Airways ground operations.
Surasak said the baggage disruption has also affected other flights because aircraft carrying undelivered baggage cannot continue operating normally, while outbound passengers’ baggage cannot be loaded onto departing aircraft.
He criticised Thai Airways management for sending personnel to assist other airlines within the group, saying this had contributed to the situation at its own operations. He also complained that military personnel sent to help were not provided with food or accommodation and had to return to their units to eat before coming back to the airport.
Surasak said Thai Airways had not provided sufficient information about the assistance being coordinated and accused management of failing to respond proactively to a problem affecting Thailand’s tourism image and the reputation of its national airline.
“If they are not ready to work, they should resign,” Surasak said, referring to Thai Airways executives and their approaching end of term.
He said the government and other ministers were aware that Thai Airways had been returning to profitability, making the baggage crisis particularly concerning.
Surasak said there was no significant group of tourists stranded at the airport because Suvarnabhumi remained open and flights were generally operating. He said the remaining flight delays were related to Thai Airways’ technical and operational readiness rather than the weather itself, with baggage now his main concern.
He also suggested that Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas should call a meeting of the Thai Airways board to discuss the impact of the disruption. Although Thai Airways is now a private company, the Finance Ministry remains its largest shareholder, he said.
Thai Airways separately said it was working to clear baggage left behind from 52 flights on September 26–27, while the airline reported 34 delayed flights on September 28.
Surasak said the government needs to ensure that the airline addresses the problem quickly because the disruption is affecting passengers, tourism and Thailand’s international image.
