BANGKOK, Thailand – Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul has urged Thai Airways executives to step down if they will not fix the baggage pile-up at Suvarnabhumi Airport, warning the chaos is tarnishing both the national carrier and Thailand’s image as a destination.

Soldiers Deployed to Clear Suvarnabhumi Baggage Backlog After Flood Chaos

Speaking after inspecting the airport, where passengers have waited six hours or more for their luggage, Surasak blamed heavy rain and flooding that kept many baggage handlers from reaching work, causing bags to pile up and disrupting both arriving and departing flights. He accused the airline of diverting its limited ground staff to other carriers it serves under contract to avoid penalties, leaving too few hands for its own passengers, and hit out at its treatment of soldiers sent to help, saying they were given no food or accommodation and had to return to their units to eat.

“This is not just an operational failure — it hurts Thailand’s reputation as a tourism destination,” Surasak said, adding that executives who feel their term is nearly over and plan to do nothing should resign quickly so someone willing to work can step in. He called on the Finance Ministry, the airline’s largest shareholder, to convene an urgent board meeting to resolve the crisis and prevent a repeat.

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat backed the call for an urgent board meeting, saying Thai Airways must review the causes, set corrective measures and prepare contingency plans. He said CEO Chai Eamsiri attributed the crisis to a severe staffing shortage after flooding affected employees’ homes, and that the airline had sought help from multiple agencies, with Airports of Thailand coordinating with the Royal Thai Air Force and Thailand Post to supply manpower and move, sort and deliver delayed bags. Siripong noted that Thai Airways also handles ground services for partner airlines under service agreements, adding to the strain, and said compensation is the airline’s responsibility, warning that neglecting passengers will ultimately damage the company itself.

Flooding and Faulty Carts Trigger Baggage Chaos, Flight Delays at Suvarnabhumi

Chai earlier apologised and said the airline is working to clear about 5,000 stranded bags within 72 hours, boosting manpower with staff from other departments and military and government support. Thai Airways has also arranged delivery of delayed luggage to passengers’ homes or hotels, with those preferring to collect their bags able to do so once sorting is complete.

-Thailand News (TN)