Transport Ministry set to overhaul Thai Airways' 15-year contracts, adding penalties after baggage backlog

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Summary · why it matters

The Transport Ministry is preparing to review Thai Airways International's ground handling and cargo service contracts at Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to add penalty conditions for service failures, after large numbers of baggage and cargo items were left stranded between September 26 and 30, 2026, even though both contracts still have 15 years remaining. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he had already discussed the matter with the permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry and Airports of Thailand, and that initially it was deemed necessary to add penalties similar to those in the contracts for apron and ground equipment services and the third cargo service project, for which Airports of Thailand has just signed a joint investment contract with Bangkok Flight Services, which already includes penalty provisions, as well as the second operator, WFS-PG Cargo, whose contract has expired and for which Airports of Thailand is now reopening bidding with penalty conditions as well. Phiphat said he would discuss with Thai Airways and the Finance Ministry as the supervisory authority, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, that contracts without penalties cannot be accepted. As of October 8, 2026, there were still 80 unclaimed bags whose owners had not been found, with Airports of Thailand tasked with urgently coordinating with Thai Airways to deliver all the bags to passengers. As for the removal of Thai Airways' CEO, Phiphat said it is a matter for the Thai Airways board and the Finance Ministry, not the Transport Ministry.

Impact on assets 2

Aerospace & Aviation▼
Industrials▼
Airports Of Thailand PCL
AOT
▼ NegativeRegulationrelevance

Transport Ministry is reviewing and adding penalty conditions to ground handling and cargo contracts at Suvarnabhumi, with AOT tasked with coordinating the stranded baggage issue.

Off-coverage companies 2

Thai Airports Ground Servicesi
Private± Mixedrelevance

ดับบลิวเอฟเอสพีจีคาร์โก้i
Private± Mixedrelevance