Chaos at Bangkok Airport: 10,000 Suitcases Pile Up on Floor

Flooding in Bangkok has disrupted operational activities at Suvarnabhumi Airport, leaving passengers waiting hours for their luggage, with suitcases forming long queues on the floor.

Passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, had to wait up to eight hours to collect their baggage after flooding hampered ground services on Tuesday. Extreme rainfall hitting the Thai capital over several days has submerged numerous areas, making it difficult for airport workers to reach their workplace.

According to Reuters on Friday (2/10/2026), the disruption occurred as mobility across various regions of Bangkok was also impeded. A number of staff members responsible for handling flight activities were unable to arrive at the airport as usual.

A total of 50 districts in Bangkok have been declared disaster-affected areas. Thailand’s Transport Minister, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, stated that more than 10,000 pieces of luggage had accumulated at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Thai Airways noted that the baggage backlog occurred between 26 and 29 September 2026. Approximately 8,000 suitcases were still in the processing queue as of 1 October 2026, while around 1,800 pieces of luggage had been returned to their owners.

The uncollected luggage originated from flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport during a period when ground handling services faced significant labour shortages. Staff were required to move luggage from aircraft, sort it, and then direct it to the collection area.