A shocked plane passenger recorded a suspected thief rummaging through an overhead compartment mid-flight.

The Thai traveller noticed a man suspiciously moving between seats, allegedly searching for bags to steal from the hat rack storage compartments on February 25.

Footage shows the suspect, wearing a black jacket, seated next to the passenger filming him with a bag in front of him inside the single-aisle Airbus A320.

The witness, who was onboard HK Express flight UO 795 from Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport to Hong Kong, said: 'As soon as the man noticed we were watching him, he walked to the back of the plane, pretending to use the restroom. Then, he changed seats again and continued checking overhead compartments in different areas.

'The flight was only half full, so he had the freedom to move around.'

Local media reported that the worried passenger discreetly wrote a note on a torn McDonald's food wrapper and signalled a flight attendant. After reading the message, the crew quietly monitored the suspect without alerting him as he continued switching seats and scanning compartments.

One of the flight attendants then asked if the witness had any photos or videos as evidence. They then reviewed the footage and planned further action, assuring that they would call the police upon landing and asked them to remain calm for now.

Upon landing at Hong Kong International Airport, police officers boarded the aircraft, collected the evidence, and requested the witness to identify the suspect. After confirmation, authorities arrested the man on the spot.

Airlines warn travellers to stay vigilant, as organised crime groups have been known to target passengers mid-flight.

On January 28, a suspected thief was caught red-handed on Asiana Airlines flight OZ 746 from Hong Kong to Incheon, South Korea. However, he was released without arrest, as flight attendants claimed they did not witness the act.

Authorities in Japan reported 19 similar theft cases in 2024, with victims discovering stolen valuables and wallets replaced with counterfeit banknotes or foreign currency.

In July 2024, enraged passengers confronted a thief allegedly caught stealing cash from luggage on Thai Airways flight TG600, moments after it landed in Hong Kong.

Footage showed furious holidaymakers in coach class rounding on the Chinese suspect, with one grabbing his face while an air hostess stood over him inside the Boeing 777.

Passengers were held onboard for an hour before Hong Kong police entered the aircraft and escorted the suspect away.