The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued new regulations on checking checked baggage, expected to take effect from October 16, 2026. The regulation aims to enhance aviation security and applies in cases where the scanning process detects objects or unusual signs.
According to regulations, when there is a reasonable basis to suspect that luggage contains explosives, prohibited items, dangerous goods or items not allowed to be transported on the plane, security personnel are entitled to open luggage for inspection without having to perform it in front of passengers.
The inspection must be carried out according to the procedure and recorded. After opening the luggage, functional staff will place an inspection notice inside so that passengers know that the luggage has been opened and inspected.
If prohibited or dangerous items are detected, functional forces can confiscate and handle them according to legal regulations, aviation security regulations or related procedures.
CAAT recommends that passengers carefully check their luggage before check-in, ensuring it does not contain prohibited items or dangerous goods. The agency also recommends using TSA locks or recognized locks according to international standards to facilitate the inspection process and limit the risk of luggage damage.
In case luggage uses an inappropriate type of lock and needs to be opened for inspection, the lock or lock mechanism may need to be broken to serve the inspection. In this case, damages arising from the lock breaking are not compensated.
CAAT also advises passengers not to leave valuable items, important papers, fragile objects or essential items in checked baggage, in order to limit inconveniences that may arise during inspection.
This new regulation was announced by CAAT from February 2026 and will officially apply from October 16, 2026. The permission to check luggage when passengers are not present is also aimed at limiting the situation of having to find and call passengers back to the check-in area, thereby reducing the risk of affecting the departure time of the flight.
