Thailand Transport & Airport News, page 4
Page 4
Thailand tightens checked baggage screening from Oct 16
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) will introduce enhanced checked baggage screening from 16 October 2026, allowing bags to be opened for inspection without the passenger present if suspicious items are flagged. Expats flying out of Thailand should use TSA-compatible locks, keep valuables in carry-on luggage, and check airline rules to avoid issues.
Thai AirAsia suspends all Suvarnabhumi flights until Oct 1
Thai AirAsia will suspend all domestic flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport from July 15 to September 30, rerouting them through Don Mueang (its main base). Services resume October 1. Passengers with existing bookings should contact Thai AirAsia to rebook via Don Mueang.
Airport Rail Link reduced to one train per hour due to breakdown
The Airport Rail Link is operating only one train per hour on Wednesday due to a turntable breakdown at the Khlong Tan depot, compared to the normal 10-15 minute frequency. Passengers are advised to use SRT trains or BMTA buses between Makkasan and Suvarnabhumi, and may request fine waivers for journeys over 90 minutes.
Thai airports to inspect checked luggage without passengers
Thailand's aviation regulator will allow airport security to search checked baggage without the passenger present starting October 16. Meanwhile, a nationwide crackdown in Chiang Mai targeted 18 sites suspected of using Thai nominees to hide foreign ownership, with 22 arrest warrants issued.
Thailand tightens airport screening after Thai Airways drug arrests
Thailand has introduced stricter airport screening for all outbound passengers and airline crews following heroin arrests in Australia, ending the trust-based screening of crews. New rules ban unnecessary personal items for crew, expand K9 units, retrain X-ray staff, and intensify baggage checks. The reforms follow a June 26 arrest of a Thai Airways hostess in Melbourne and an earlier case in late May.
Thailand plans 200B baht rail concession buyback
The Thai government plans to spend up to 200 billion baht buying back concessions for all electric train lines in Greater Bangkok, funded partly through an infrastructure fund raising 80 billion baht per issue. If the buyback occurs in 2027, the total could be lower for some lines as their concessions near expiry. The move aims to reduce fares, with a common ticketing scheme set to launch on January 1, 2027, at 17–45 baht per trip.