When I was last in Bali a few weeks ago, I noticed that the security screening to get into the airport building was a little tighter than it used to be. On previous visits, the initial screening was rather cursory. For those that haven’t been to Indonesia in the last few years, you have to pass through a security screening to get into any airport in Indonesia. In most cases, this first security scan is quite basic, you don’t need to remove anything from your bag, and you can usually keep your belt and shoes on. There’s a second, generally tougher, security scan to access the departure gate.

However, on this last visit, the screening for my international departure back to Bangkok was quite a bit tougher. I needed to remove my watch and ring, which is usually only required for the second screening to access the departure gate area.

Then, I got an email through my web site from another recent visitor to Bali, who seemed to think this new security measure was some kind of setup for theft. He discovered some mobile phones were missing from his bag when he got to the gate, and there was no time to retrieve them. He seemed to think the phones had been taken when his bag passed through the security scan.

I’m in no position to say whether or not there’s any kind of organized theft going on at the scanners. It’s pretty hard to see how anyone could take things out of a bag while they’re passing through the machines without a lot of people noticing. But, I do know that Ngurah Rai International Airport has always been a place where you need to exercise extreme caution with your bags. Always lock checked baggage, and never put anything in unsecured exterior pouches. Avoid carry-on bags that don’t close securely and always check your belongings before leaving the security scan. Of course, never leave your bags unattended.