Before takeoff, a commercial plane’s door was allegedly opened and the evacuation slide activated, leading to the arrest of a Canadian man in Chiang Mai, in northern Thai city.
The event happened on the evening of February 7, according to a statement from the Chiang Mai International Airport.
According to reports, around 10:05 p.m., the air traffic control tower received word that Thai Airways flight TG121, which was scheduled to take off for Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, was lined up on the runway ready to take off when a passenger opened one of the plane’s doors, triggering the deployment of an evacuation slide.
According to the statement, more flights were briefly barred from taking off and landing because the Airbus A320 could not be moved right away.
“After receiving the alert, we reached out to Thai Airways mechanics to get into the site to cut the evacuation slide off, then we towed the aircraft back to landing pit number 15,” said Wing Commander Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, director of Chiang Mai International Airport, in the statement.
Eight of the 13 flights that were impacted by the event were made to circle in the air before being given the all-clear to land, the director continued. According to Ronnakorn, 2,295 passengers were impacted by the delays overall.
In reaction to the incident, Thai Airways released a statement in which it stated that the delayed flight eventually took off for Bangkok around midnight after mechanics were able to repair and inspect the door in compliance with safety rules.
Chiang Mai Police The officer in charge of the case, Colonel Manuschai In-thuean, told CNN that they detained 40-year-old Canadian national Wong Sai Heung right there on the spot.
If found guilty, he might be sentenced to death, up to 20 years in jail, and/or a fine of 600,000–800,000 baht ($16,700–$22,300). It should be noted, though, that Thailand has not executed a prisoner since 2018.
Although they did not know why the suspect opened the door, the police did observe that he seemed agitated and was challenging to talk to.
As required by law, police informed CNN that they gave the suspect legal representation and a translator during questioning, and they are still looking into the incident.
