Floods cause baggage chaos at Bangkok's airport

Flooding caused by heavy rains in Thailand since last week has severely disrupted operations at the country's main international airport near Bangkok.

Passengers have been unable to collect their luggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport after waiting for days in some cases. Thai Airways, the country's flag carrier, said some staff could not get to work due to the floods.

The company has set up temporary counters in the arrivals hall to deal with the situation. But as of Wednesday, about 8,000 bags were still unclaimed, as tourists tried to collect their luggage.

One man from London said he came to pick up luggage on behalf of a friend who arrived three days ago. He said he had never experienced anything like this before.

He said:“I've spent a couple of hours around here looking for the bag, Depot No.1, Depot No.2. But No.2 said 'it's definitely in No.1, because here's the photo', so I've come back.”

The military has also been deployed to the airport to help transport baggage.

Thai Airways has canceled dozens of domestic and international flights and says it will likely take several more days before operations return to normal.