Space Invaders

Find out what are common space eaters when packing your bags, and solve your luggage woes with these handy packing pointers from Nivat Chantarachoti, general manager of Thai Airways for Malaysia and Brunei

BURNING PACKING QUESTIONS What should I pack in my carry-on?

Depending on the duration of your journey, on long flights, you may to want to keep some light or warm clothing, medicines, and toiletries you may need during the flight in your carry-on. However, as per air safety regulation, all liquids must not exceed 100ml (3.4 oz) and must be placed in a clear, plastic quart-sized bag with zip lock. Valuables such as jewellery, mobile phones, cameras, and laptop computers should not be checked-in and kept in your hand carry. If you are carrying a power bank with you, please ensure that it is kept in your carry-on only and each passenger is only allowed to carry up to two power banks with a max capacity of 32K mah each.

Are there any packing secrets or tips to pack all my outfits in and still have space to spare?

It is advisable to pack according to the purpose and duration of the journey. If you are on a holiday or a shopping spree, you may not need to carry so much and save some space for your shopping on the way back. But on a business trip, you would need to be

prepared with all the essentials such as formal suits for business meetings, a blazer for more casual dining, plus several pairs of shoes for business, sports, and casual activities. Bear in mind that the check-in baggage allowance on Thai Airways is 50kg for first class, 40kg for business class, and 30kg for economy class. However, the maximum weight of baggage should not exceed 32kg per piece.

What items should I take extra precautions with while packing into my luggage?

Fragile items should be packed and handled with care. If possible, it is advisable that items such as glass, ceramic, and porcelain be hand carried. We do have ‘fragile’ stickers and will handle these items with care, but if damaged, the airlines will only be liable according to their actual weight. In such cases, it is recommended that the passenger purchase additional insurance for the specific valuable item. If you wish to pack glass bottles such as wine or perfume in your checkin luggage, it is recommended that you wrap the bottle with bubble wrap and ensure the bottle is tightly sealed.

What are the usual packing mistakes that you see?

Unlike frequent travellers, lessexperienced passengers tend to overpack. Often these travellers are not aware of their baggage allowance and would have to pay for excess baggage at check-in counters. Or sometimes the check-in luggage weighs more than the allowable 32kg and they have to repack at the airport. So my advice is, you should only pack clothes that you need. Also, people tend to not pack appropriate clothes for the season and destination. It is best if you check the weather forecast of your destination prior to the trip, and pack accordingly.

“Only pack clothes that you need for the season and destination”