Passengers travelling to and from Thailand are being warned to take extra care of their belongings after a rise in credit card thefts during flights, according to Thai authorities.
The warning comes after more than 80 cases were reported, with total losses exceeding 8 million baht, the Thai media Thaiger reports.
Most incidents have occurred on short international routes of less than three hours. Raiwin Worawongsathit, president of the Credit Card Fraud Prevention Club, said to Thaiger that thieves often act when passengers are distracted or asleep.
Stolen from overhead compartments
Pol Col Phongthorn Phongrattanant, deputy commander and spokesperson of Immigration Division 2, said cases have increased on international flights, with criminals targeting bags stored in overhead compartments.
Cards are often taken from luggage not placed directly above the owner’s seat and used shortly after landing, before victims realise they are missing.
Phongthorn said immigration police are working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand and airlines to strengthen monitoring and raise awareness among passengers.
How to protect yourself
Raiwin advised travellers to:
keep credit cards and valuables on their person at all times
avoid storing important items in overhead compartments
enable real-time transaction alerts on mobile banking apps
use features such as temporary card blocking and spending limits