BANGKOK: Thai police have charged a 40-year-old Canadian passenger on Friday after he attempted to open the emergency exit door of a Thai Airways flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, claiming someone was trying to kill him.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, led to delays for numerous flights as the man’s actions caused chaos on board.
According to Nattawut Noisorn, deputy chief of investigation at Phu Ping Ratchaniwet police station, the Canadian national has been charged with causing harm to others in the aircraft and not following instructions from the flight crew.
The passenger reportedly opened the emergency exit door out of panic, claiming that someone on the plane was attempting to kill him. Police are currently investigating whether the individual was under the influence of any substances or was suffering from mental illness.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with passengers hearing shouting and experiencing turbulence as a result of the incident. Watcharapon Pethsurp, a passenger on the flight, recounted the dramatic events, noting the panic caused by the Canadian passenger’s actions.
Thai Airways issued a statement confirming that the flight departed more than three hours later than scheduled due to the incident.
