Passengers urged to take photos of luggage contents before checking in

WITH airport staff authorised to open and inspect luggage without the passenger’s presence as of Oct. 16, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) advised travellers to take photos of the contents within their bags and the exterior before checking in, TV Channel 7 said today (Oct. 26).

Passengers should also pack correctly before travelling and make sure no power banks and other prohibited items as well as valuables are placed in checked luggage.

CAAT noted that the most frequently discovered prohibited items are power banks and electronic devices containing batteries, which pose a risk of short-circuiting and catching fire within the aircraft’s cargo hold. The agency emphasised that these measures are strictly to ensure safety with luggage not routinely opened as inspections are only undertaken when X-ray scanning reveals suspicious items.

During an inspection, the process is documented for future verification, and a notice of inspection is placed inside the luggage to inform the owner. Any opening of baggage that falls outside these established guidelines is considered a violation of the policy and may potentially be unlawful.

Regarding the four reported cases circulating on social media about passengers’ luggage being opened and searched, CAAT said a check with relevant agencies revealed the following:

– In two cases involving international flights, a review of CCTV footage confirmed that the luggage was not opened or searched by airport security personnel under the new screening protocols;

– One case involved an incoming international flight; this fell under the regulations and procedures of the departure airport abroad and is therefore unrelated to Thailand’s screening measures.

– The fourth case involved a domestic flight, the luggage was indeed opened for inspection in accordance with the protocols. This occurred because a scan detected an electronic device containing a battery. As the passenger was not using a TSA-approved lock, security personnel had to cut the zipper to check the bag. A notice of inspection was placed within according to established procedure.

Taking photographs of contents in the bags as well as the exterior before checking in serves as evidence. Should any irregularities arise or items go missing, passengers may use these photos to contact the airline and initiate an investigation.

CAPTIONS:

Top and Front Page: A passenger checking in his luggage. Photo – TV Channel 7

Inserted: Passengers at an airport. Photo by Global Residence Index on Unsplash

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