From October 16, Thai Airports Can Open Checked Bags Without the Owner Present

From October 16, 2026, Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) will allow airport security staff to open a checked bag without the passenger present, provided the bag has already been X-rayed and flagged as possibly containing explosives, dangerous goods, or other prohibited items. Officials say the change is meant to stop flight delays caused by staff having to track down a bag’s owner before it can be inspected. Every inspection must be recorded on video, and a notification slip is placed inside the bag afterward telling the owner what was done and, if anything was confiscated, what was taken. CAAT is advising travellers to use internationally recognised locks, such as TSA-approved locks, on checked luggage so that an inspection does not mean a broken zip or lock if a bag does get flagged.