Photo: 27 Percentss / Pexels
Thai Airways passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport hit severe disruption at the end of September 2026. Flooding in Bangkok reportedly kept many staff from reaching work, and a baggage backlog led to more than 50 flights being cancelled. On 30 September a passenger climbed onto a check-in counter chair to help calm a crowd, and the video spread online. The airline apologised, the board removed its CEO on 2 October, and normal operations were expected to resume on 3 October. If you are flying Thai Airways through Bangkok soon, here is what to know.
What happened at Suvarnabhumi
On 30 September 2026, a Thai Airways passenger stood on a chair at a check-in counter at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. She was helping staff manage a crowd of passengers affected by delays and cancellations.
Severe flooding in Bangkok reportedly kept many Thai Airways employees from getting to work. The staff shortage created a baggage backlog and disrupted ground handling. The backlog reportedly led to more than 50 domestic and international flights being cancelled, and passengers at the airport complained.
The video
A Facebook user, Pont Pont, shared a video of the moment. The woman in it is believed to be Sara Gonan, who was affected by the disruption herself.
In the video she addresses a mixed crowd of Thai and international passengers. Here is what she does:
- She asks people to listen, saying she is a passenger facing the same uncertainty.
- She tries to split people into two groups: those with cancelled flights and those with delayed flights.
- She turns to a female airline staff member at the counter to get information to relay to the crowd.
- She asks whether Thai Airways has provided drinking water or snacks for people waiting a long time.
The video ends with her talking to airline staff and Suvarnabhumi security officials.
People online praised her initiative. Some joked that Thai Airways should hire her, and one said she could be CEO.
How Thai Airways responded
Thai Airways apologised and said it was working on the outstanding problems. It reportedly expected normal operations to resume on 3 October. The report does not say how complete the recovery would be.
Related headlines on the same page said a minister had stated that Thai Airways baggage delays "affect country's image" (reported two days earlier). They also said the board suspended the CEO after the flood disruption.
Leadership changes
The board held a special meeting on 2 October. It removed CEO Chai Eamsiri from his duties with immediate effect. It also set up an investigation committee into allegations of delays in addressing the operational problems.
Samrit Samniang is acting CEO. He is a board member and a former senior executive vice president of PTTEP (PTT Exploration and Production).
The episode raises questions about the airline's crisis management, staffing arrangements and ability to keep services running in emergencies.
What this means if you are flying
Expect possible further delays, cancellations and baggage problems on Thai Airways flights through Suvarnabhumi around 3 October, and probably for some days after. The recovery timeline is unclear. A few ways to protect yourself:
- Check before you go: Check your flight status and rebook before heading to the airport.
- Keep records: Keep your baggage details and receipts.
- Pack smart: Put essentials, medication and valuables in your carry-on, since baggage handling is the weak point.
- Allow extra time: Bring water and snacks, because it is unclear whether the airline is providing them.
- Think about alternatives: For tight connections, consider a different carrier or routing. Check whether your travel insurance covers delays.
- Watch the roads: Bangkok flooding may also affect getting to the airport.
Information sourced from The Thaiger.