Thai Airways cuts Bangkok flights as flood disruption leaves 5,000 bags stranded

Thai Airways plans to cut about 30 flights from Bangkok on Tuesday and maintain the reduction for at least three days after heavy rain and flooding disrupted its operations. The airline said around 5,000 bags remained at Suvarnabhumi Airport and would be cleared within 72 hours. Its chief executive, Chai Eamsiri, said nearly all flights over the previous two days had been delayed, with fewer than 3% operating on schedule.

Thai Airways said 34 flights were delayed on Monday and that baggage from 52 flights between Saturday and Sunday was being delivered to passengers. Sixty-nine Thai Air Force personnel were brought in to support ground operations. Bangkok received about 320mm of rain over two to three days, nearly the amount the low-lying city usually receives throughout September.

The government said standing water was expected to clear within three days if there was no additional rainfall. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said Thai Airways’ handling of the disruption had damaged Thailand’s tourism image and called for the finance ministry, the airline’s largest shareholder, to convene an urgent board meeting. The flooding affected 1,267 businesses across 40 provinces, including 52 factories and 1,162 small and medium-sized enterprises, Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said.

Four people died in Bangkok, while nationwide economic damage was estimated at more than $320 million. Thailand’s cabinet was due to discuss long-term flood management and recovery measures.