Thai airline baggage thefy complaint

I travelled from Bangkok to Islamabad vide connecting flight No.TG-509 of Thai Airways International on seat No.63-F on 3rd February, 2007, after traveling from Singapore to Bangkok by Thai Airways International, flight No.0405 on the same day earlier. On Bangkok Airport I cleared my hand-carry bag and entered into the plane as a last passenger in the queue. Inside the plane, the Cabin crew told me that the over-head luggage cabinets are full and the hand-carry bags of several passenger including mine are to be shifted to luggage compartments down. I requested that I have important documents and valuables in the bag, and the bag is not properly secured other than as hand-carry. The crew asked whether it has passport or laptop and on my reply in negative they told not to worry as they would properly take care of, and the same must be delivered on the same flight as compartment luggage. I took two adhesive tags from the crew and pasted it on the bag for identification and sealing the lock number. After few minutes a crew member handed me over tag No.TG 37-27-61 and informed that the bag has been put in the luggage compartment.

2. Before the flight when I opened the over-head cabinet over my seat to put my shopper (containing chocolates) I found it occupied by coats and blousers of other passengers, which was surprising.

3. After immigration clearance at Islamabad Airport, I searched the luggage conveyer belt for one hour until the belt was stopped for having no more luggage from the flight. My bag was missing. On inquiry, I found one Mr. Adnan and another person of Thai Airways explaining to half a dozen passengers whose hand-carry bags were off loaded and now these were to be brought on next flight. I protested on the same and told the two persons that the flight cabin crew had lied and cheated us. Nonetheless, the Thai Airways should ensure the early and safe return of the luggage containing important documents and valuables, as their prime responsibility.

4. Next morning, I sent a complaint to Mr. Narong Kuakit, Airport Services Manager, Thai Airways International, Islamabad through e-mail, stating the above facts and also indicating that my bag contains important documents (inside a separate small bag) camera with accessories and jewellery items (as checked on GST counter at Singapore airport) and cash of US $ 2600 and Pak Rs.9000 (in envelope) and few other items, and requested that my bag may kindly be taken care of, and properly handed over to me at the earliest (copy of the e-mail attached).

5. Mr. Narong Kuakit informed me through e-mail dated 04.02.2007 that this case happened in BKK: The cabin crew did not allow for oversized hand carry due to no space on overhead rack. Your bag will be forwarded to Islamabad on TG.509/07 February and you will be informed as the same is received (copy enclosed).

6.. I informed Mr. Narong Kuakit through e-mail, dated 5th February that my hand carry bag is not oversize as the same bag was allowed as hand-carry luggage on the same day on flight No.TG-0404 of Thai Airlines from Singapore to Bangkok and was also cleared as such for boarding at Bangkok airport. It was only due to mismanagement of the cabin crew that my bag was off loaded on a false pretext and then giving me wrong information of its having been loaded on the luggage compartment of the flight, causing me a lot of inconvenience and problems. Nonetheless, I hope for safe return of my bag.

7. I visited Islamabad International Airport on 8.2.2007 to collect my bag. Mr. Shiraz of Shaheen Airport Services (SAPS) handed me over the bag. On receipt of the same, I found that the sealing adhesive top of the bag was removed and the lock was broken. On checking the luggage inside the bag in presence of Mr. Shiraz I found that the following items were missing:

(i) Cash envelope containing US $ 2600 & Pk Rs.9000/-

(ii) Kushkbu chain (22k Gold) Price S $ 1394.87

(iii) Khushbu earning (22k Gold) Price S $ 311.72

(iv) Pearl Necklace (22k Gold) Price S $ 623.90

(v) Pearl Necklace (22k Gold) Price S $ 146.36

(vi) Casting stone ring (22k Gold) Price S $ 120.26

In addition 3 packets of Toffiffee chocolates costing about S $ 28 were also missing. A copy of the GST refund claim of the jewllery items at Singapore Airport is attached

8. Mr. Shiraz contacted Mr. Narong Kuakit on telephone at his house and informed me that Mr. Narong Kuakit has desired to see me in his office the next day. Mr. Shiraz handed me over a copy of the delivery order of the bag mentioning the broken lock and missing of cash and jewelry items (copy enclosed).

9. I visited office of Mr. Narong Kuakit on 9th February and tried to explain my complaint. Without listening to detail of my complaint, he told as the bag was over weight, therefore, the Airline will not pay for any compensation for the loss/theft. I explained that, as also early clarified in the e-mail dated 4.2.2007, my bag is no oversize and was cleared as hand carry bag as such once on Singapore Airport and secondly on Bangkok Airport. The Cabin crew in Bangkok retained the bag inside the plane with the excuse that the over head luggage cabinets are full and not for any thing relating to size of the bag. I also showed him the damaged bag which was/is of standard cabin size. I also told that as this loss/theft occurred due to mismanagement, carelessness and malafide of the relevant staff of Thai Airline International, therefore, my losses may be made good on immediate basis. The case also involves criminal liabilities on account of deception, cheating, fraud, criminal breach of trust and theft for which I intend to consult my lawyers for further proceedings. I tried to deliver the complained in writing to Mr. Narong Kuakit which he refused to acknowledge, and his clerk in the office got a copy of the letter without acknowledging the same. A copy of the loss/theft report is enclosed.

10. In view of the above facts, I request that my loss amounting to US $ 2600/- + Singaporeane $ 2625.11 and Pak. Rs. 9000/- may be made good by Thai Airways International, as the loss/theft has occurred solely due to mismanagement, carelessness and malafide of the relevant staff of Thai Airways International.

Yours faithfully

(Syed Said Badshah Bukhari)

e-mail : Email User

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