Thai airports authorized to inspect checked luggage without passenger present

From Friday onward, personnel at every airport in Thailand will be permitted to open checked suitcases that are suspected of holding banned objects, even when the passenger is absent. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand issued the directive to improve aviation safety, and Airports of Thailand Plc confirmed its immediate implementation nationwide. Each inspection must be filmed, and a written statement of the search is to be placed inside the bag after the procedure.

Authorities recommend that flyers leave valuables, essential paperwork and any items classified as prohibited out of their checked bags. The list of banned items covers explosives, firearms and portable power sources such as power banks. The measure aims to streamline security checks while reducing the need for passenger presence.