Thailand to allow airport staff to open checked bags without owners present
From October 16, security staff at Thailand's airports will be permitted to open passengers' checked luggage without the owner present if prohibited or dangerous items are suspected. The change affects a destination popular among Latvian travelers.
Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has announced new rules for checked baggage inspection that will take effect at the country's airports on October 16, 2026. Under the new procedure, security personnel will be authorized to open passengers' suitcases on their own if scanning reveals reasonable grounds to suspect prohibited or dangerous items inside.
How the inspection will work
The new rules apply to baggage checked in before boarding. If screening detects signs suggesting the possible presence of illegal, banned, or potentially hazardous items, the suitcase may be opened without the owner being present. The entire process — both the opening and the subsequent inspection — will be recorded on video. Afterward, a notice will be placed inside the bag informing the traveler that it was opened. Any prohibited items found may be confiscated in accordance with current regulations.
CAAT stressed that the new rules do not mean every piece of luggage will be opened; additional inspection will only occur when there is a specific reason to do so.
Advice for travelers
The aviation authority recommends passengers use locks that meet international standards, such as TSA-approved locks, which can be opened with a special universal key without damaging the luggage. Travelers are also advised not to pack valuables, fragile items, important documents, or anything they may need during the trip in checked baggage.
CAAT first announced the upcoming changes back in February, with additional recommendations for travelers published in June. Thailand remains one of the most popular long-haul destinations among Latvian tourists, meaning the new rules could affect a significant number of travelers from Latvia.
