Recommendation: Hand over suitcases at the staffed left‑baggage counters located inside arrival halls of Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don Mueang (DMK) for secure short‑term holding; counters typically issue a numbered claim ticket and accept cash (THB) and major cards. Expect 24/7 coverage at primary terminals, but check the terminal map or operator desk for the exact counter position before arrival.
Typical pricing and limits: small day bags usually cost in the range of 100–300 THB per item per 24 hours, medium suitcases ~200–400 THB/24h; some facilities offer hourly rates for stays under 6 hours (roughly 50–150 THB). Staffed services commonly set maximum storage from 7 up to 30 days; oversized or special items incur surcharges. Coin or token lockers exist at selected locations and accept coins or prepaid tokens only.
Required documents and security: be ready to present passport or national ID and the boarding pass or booking reference when dropping off. You will receive a claim stub – keep it safe. Operators use sealed tags and CCTV, but declared‑value insurance is limited; avoid leaving high‑value items (passports, jewellery, cameras, laptops) unless you complete a formal declaration with the counter.
Practical tips and alternatives: photograph contents and serial numbers before handing over items, label bags with a contact number, and verify opening hours on the official terminal website or by phone. If counters are closed or prices are high, nearby hotels, private baggage apps and city rail stations offer paid holding options. For same‑day returns choose hourly options or coin locker zones to save on fees.
Use official left-baggage counters at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK); for short stops prefer coin lockers in arrival concourses, for multi-day deposits choose the staffed desk and get a receipt.
Locate staffed drop-off points in the arrivals hall near the immigration exit or information desk; look for signs reading “Left Baggage” or ask terminal staff. Expect the following practical details:
- Operating hours: staffed desks typically match flight schedules; some terminals offer 24-hour service while coin lockers may close overnight. Confirm at the terminal information counter on arrival.
- Fees (approximate): coin lockers ~30–150 THB depending on size and time block; staffed counter ~100–300 THB per item per day for medium cases, higher for oversized items. Daily caps vary by terminal and provider.
- Size and weight limits: lockers accept small to medium backpacks; suitcases and large trunks require the staffed service. Heavier items sometimes incur extra charges.
- Required documents: passport or national ID plus boarding pass or travel itinerary are usually requested; always keep the receipt/claim ticket until collection.
- Security and insurance: lockers are unmonitored electronic units; staffed services issue a numbered tag and hold items in a secure room but declared-value insurance may be limited–avoid leaving cash, passports, or irreplaceable items.
Step-by-step at the terminal
- Follow signs to Arrivals → Information → Left Baggage.
- Choose coin locker for <24-hour short stops or staffed counter for longer storage or large items.
- Provide ID, accept and photograph the claim ticket, and note opening hours for collection.
- Keep receipts and a photo of your packed bag; claim promptly before check-in or departure time.
Alternatives and packing advice
- Use same-day hotel day rooms near the terminal if you need access to belongings during a long layover.
- Consider door-to-door forwarding services if you plan onward travel within Thailand for several days.
- Opt for compact wheeled backpacks to reduce fees and ease transfers – see a recommended model: best baggage backpack with wheeled.
- Always keep valuables, travel documents, electronics and medication with you rather than leaving them behind.
For the most reliable details, check the terminal’s official information desk on arrival or the carrier’s guidance before travel; policies and pricing are set by terminal operators and can vary by concourse.
Suvarnabhumi (BKK) left-baggage counters: exact locations, operating hours and fees
Recommendation: Use the official AOT left-baggage counters on Arrival Level 1 for the most secure, ticketed short- and medium-term holding – they are the primary staffed option and accept cards.
Exact locations (Arrival Level 1): International Arrivals – counter adjacent to Exit/Meeting Point 4 (closest to the main arrivals hall). Domestic/transfer arrivals – secondary counter near Exit/Meeting Point 7. Both counters are inside the arrivals hall before the public curbside.
Alternate point (Transit/Transfer area): Small staffed baggage desk inside the transit/transfer corridor (airside) for passengers not clearing immigration; hours are more limited than landside counters – check staff on arrival.
Operating hours: Landside counters (Exit 4 and Exit 7): 24 hours daily. Transit/transfer desk: typically 06:00–23:00; hours can vary by airline operations and public holidays. Always verify on arrival or call the terminal information line.
Standard fees (as of June 2024): – Small bag (carry-on size): ~100 THB per 24-hour period. – Medium suitcase: ~150 THB per 24-hour period. – Large/oversize item: ~200–300 THB per 24-hour period. Fees charged per item per day; partial days count as one full day.
Extra charges & limits: Oversize/oversafe items incur surcharges (typically 50–200 THB). Maximum storage without prior arrangement usually 30 days; long-term deposits or pre-arrangement required for longer stays. High-value items may be refused or require special declaration.
Payment & documentation: Cash (THB) and major credit/debit cards accepted at the official counters; receipts and a numbered claim tag are issued for every item. Present passport or national ID and proof of travel (boarding pass) when dropping items.
Security & insurance: Items are held in a supervised room with CCTV. There is a declared liability limit; purchase separate insurance for high-value electronics, jewellery or artwork and keep those items with you rather than handing them over.
Contact & verification: For live confirmation call the Suvarnabhumi information desk at +66 2 132 1888 (ask for left-baggage counter) or check the Airports of Thailand (AOT) website before arrival.
Practical tips: Photograph the claim tag and contents, attach a visible label with name and phone, retain the receipt until pickup, and plan extra time at collection since busy periods can create queues.
Don Mueang (DMK) lockers and temporary storage: locker sizes, weight limits and reservation steps
Use the staffed left‑baggage counter in Terminal 1 for anything oversized or stored beyond 24 hours; coin lockers in the arrivals concourse are best for short holds under one day.
Locker sizes, weight limits and typical fees
Small locker – external dimensions roughly 34 × 35 × 50 cm; maximum recommended weight 10 kg; fee range ~60–80 THB per 24 hours.
Medium locker – roughly 55 × 35 × 50 cm; maximum recommended weight 15 kg; fee range ~100–150 THB per 24 hours.
Large locker – roughly 85 × 45 × 60 cm; maximum recommended weight 25–30 kg; fee range ~200–250 THB per 24 hours.
Staffed left‑baggage counter accepts oversized items and items exceeding locker weight; single‑item daily rates for counter deposits commonly start at 150 THB and rise with size/weight – expect 150–400 THB per day for bulky pieces. Lockers and counters generally limit liability for high‑value items and hazardous goods; keep passports/IDs with you and do not deposit prohibited materials.
Reservation and deposit steps
1) Locate: head to the Arrivals hall of the relevant terminal (Terminal 1 is main for commercial flights); coin lockers sit near the arrival belt/concourse, staffed counters are near ground‑level exits.
2) For lockers: check free compartments visually; select size, insert coins or pay at the machine (some machines accept card); take the paper or electronic receipt – the receipt is required for retrieval and shows expiry time.
3) For the staffed counter: queue, present passport/ID and flight details, complete the deposit form, pay by cash or card, and receive a numbered claim tag and receipt; check the maximum storage period printed on the receipt.
4) For long holds or multiple pieces: ask the counter staff about extended‑storage options, wrapping service, and the exact daily rate; declare high‑value items on the form if you want any available coverage (coverage is limited and often subject to exclusions).
5) Guarantees: lockers are first‑come‑first‑served and generally cannot be reserved in advance; to ensure guaranteed space for extended storage, arrange with the staffed counter on arrival or use a commercial off‑site baggage service booked in advance.
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Payment options, price examples and maximum storage durations per terminal
Use the staffed left-bag counters at Suvarnabhumi (BKK) for stays longer than 24 hours and deposit small items in Don Mueang (DMK) lockers for short stops under a day.
Payment methods by terminal
BKK staffed counters: accept Thai baht cash, major credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard) and contactless chip-payments; some counters accept QR/mobile wallets (PromptPay, Alipay/WeChat) but do not rely on those as universal. Bring both card and cash (small denominations recommended) and your passport for ID verification.
DMK lockers and unattended kiosks: most operate on coin/cash or prepaid kiosk cards; a limited number of modern lockers accept card or QR payment. If using manned DMK services (where available), payment options mirror BKK but availability varies by terminal vendor.
Price examples and maximum retention periods
Typical price ranges (examples only): BKK staffed service – small bag (daypack/handbag) ≈ 100–200 THB per 24 hours; medium suitcase ≈ 200–400 THB per 24 hours; oversized items ≈ 300–600 THB per 24 hours. DMK lockers – short-term slots: small locker ≈ 40–100 THB per 4–6 hours; medium ≈ 80–150 THB per 6–12 hours; large ≈ 150–300 THB per 24 hours. Expect slightly higher charges for partial days and overnight holds.
Maximum retention: BKK staffed counters commonly allow up to 30 days for deposited items; arrangements for longer-term holds are handled through cargo or specialised long-term storage services. DMK unattended lockers are intended for short stays and are usually limited to 3–7 days depending on operator; extended retention at DMK may require switching to a manned service or a private storage provider. Always confirm the exact maximum at the counter or kiosk before leaving your items.
Carry the receipt and a photo ID, label your bag with a contact number, photograph the tag/locker number, and verify refund/refusal policies for damaged or uncollected items with the specific terminal operator.
Required ID, prohibited items, liability limits, insurance and reclaiming procedures
Present a valid government photo ID (passport for foreigners, national ID card for Thai nationals) plus the boarding pass or e‑ticket at the counter; photocopies, expired IDs and screenshots are commonly rejected.
Accepted documents: passport, national ID card, Thai driver’s licence with photo, or military ID. For minors, the accompanying adult must show their ID and the child’s passport or birth certificate; counters may require the adult to sign a custody declaration.
Items normally refused at public left‑baggage/locker services: firearms and ammunition; explosives and fireworks; flammable liquids and gases (butane, petrol); compressed cylinders (scuba tanks, oxygen); corrosives and toxic chemicals; live animals and plants; perishable foodstuffs; bulk liquids exceeding 1–2 L; illegal narcotics. High‑capacity external batteries and spare lithium cells are routinely restricted – if allowed, they must be declared and may be removed for safety reasons. Keep cash, original passports, irreplaceable documents and high‑value jewellery with you rather than depositing them.
Liability: counters publish written terms on-site. Typical default liability without declared value ranges from THB 5,000 to THB 30,000 per item depending on operator; many counters allow purchase of declared‑value coverage for an extra fee (limits frequently extend up to THB 100,000 for premium declarations). Obtain and keep the printed receipt that states the monetary ceiling and any excess deductible – that receipt is required for any claim.
Insurance and documentation: photograph each item before handing it over (label visible), keep the deposit ticket and ID used at drop‑off, and request the operator’s terms and declared‑value form if you need higher cover. Confirm whether your travel or home contents insurance specifically includes third‑party short‑term deposits at public counters; file a claim with insurer within their stated time limits and attach the operator’s receipt and damage photos.
Reclaiming procedure: present the original deposit receipt and the same photo ID used at drop‑off; staff will match tag numbers and open the locker or retrieve items for inspection. Late retrieval outside operating hours may incur overnight or per‑day surcharges and, if unclaimed beyond the operator’s retention period (typically 30–90 days depending on provider), items are transferred to central lost‑and‑found or disposed/auctioned per local rules. If an item is damaged or missing, report immediately to the counter, obtain an incident report in writing, and submit that report with the deposit receipt to the operator’s claims department within the time window printed on the receipt.