Mid-air drama: Unruly passenger instigates chaos on Thai Airways flight to Frankfurt

[webfact]

 

In mid-air drama on a Bangkok-Frankfurt Thai Airways flight, a brawling passenger on board resulted in German police intervention upon landing. The swift and professional handling of the situation by the airline staff received applause from passengers.

 

One of the flight passengers, Kitiphong Santiwatr, relived the tense flight experience on the Facebook group ‘Travel to Europe by Yourself.’ He shed light on how a disruptive passenger, described as a large man, caused a stir on board flight TG920 on July 18.

 

According to Kitiphong, the chaos unravelled when the said passenger unauthorisedly occupied a special seat without having paid for it. When the passenger was asked by the flight crew to return to his assigned seat, he became disgruntled and started raising his voice. The situation on board started escalating soon, drawing attention from a visibly alarmed Kitiphong, sitting eight rows behind.

 

by Samantha Rose 

Picture courtesy of My Pride My THAI Facebook.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/mid-air-drama-unruly-passenger-instigates-chaos-on-thai-airways-flight-to-frankfurt

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-07-25

 

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[ezzra]

On some flights air marshals wouldn't be a bad idea.

[circa02]

Unfortunately it doesn't say what happened to this person, he could of been released 30 minutes later for all the clapping internet knows - in which case likely consider a win? Fast tracking deboarding and upgrade. Was he banned from future Thai airways flights? Was the return part of his ticket canceled? Was he charged?

 

[kimamey]

2 minutes ago, circa02 said:

Unfortunately it doesn't say what happened to this person, he could of been released 30 minutes later for all the clapping internet knows - in which case likely consider a win? Fast tracking deboarding and upgrade. Was he banned from future Thai airways flights? Was the return part of his ticket canceled? Was he charged?

 

Hopefully he was dealt with in a way that teaches him to behave next time. 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

On some flights air marshals wouldn't be a bad idea.

Agreed, but I think only US Carriers have them? I might be wrong?

[Maestro]

Removed some off-topic posts and the replies to them.

[scottiejohn]

30 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Agreed, but I think only US Carriers have them? I might be wrong?

El Al Israel Airlines carry them for sure!

[spidermike007]

Sometimes one must just shake their head in disbelief. Of all places to not misbehave, it is aboard a flight, in this day and age. You are just asking for major problems. I guess this just comes down to a total lack of self discipline on the part of this moron.

[bamnutsak]

I would think every airline has guidance, and training, for these types of situations.

 

IMO, I'd just leave the guy in the seat, and keep him happy (limited alcohol obviously), while advising FRA on the situation and that they should have police (BPOL) available to arrest him, or at least escort him off the aircraft.

 

I'm honestly not sure on the criminal jurisdiction issue, but I think it's Thailand and TG, so not sure if the German state can arrest/prosecute. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BarraMarra]

Mmm securing the Cockpit door was it left open ?

[OneMoreFarang]

There is an easy solution:

 

 

[newnative]

     This is happening way too often lately--seems like every day there is a story.   I think just yesterday there was a United flight that had to turn around because a passenger was being disruptive--causing a 9-hour delay for the other passengers who were behaving responsibly.  The airlines need to work together and get much tougher on these incidents, including banning disruptive passengers on future flights--with the policy widely publicized and enforced.  

[John Drake]

3 minutes ago, newnative said:

     This is happening way too often lately--seems like every day there is a story.   I think just yesterday there was a United flight that had to turn around because a passenger was being disruptive--causing a 9-hour delay for the other passengers who were behaving responsibly.  The airlines need to work together and get much tougher on these incidents, including banning disruptive passengers on future flights--with the policy widely publicized and enforced.  

It's worse when you try to claim your luggage.   https://www.nbcchicago.com/top-videos-home/mass-brawl-breaks-out-at-ohare-airport-two-arrested/3148098/

[Maestro]

Removed some more off-topic posts.

[jacko45k]

Fair result I suppose, but if the guy remained in a Biz or First Class seat meanwhile not a comfortable situation for the rest of the passengers. A lot more inconvenient but an unscheduled landing in Afghanistan or Pakistan to offload him there would work for me.  

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Agreed, but I think only US Carriers have them? I might be wrong?

US flying is a bit different.

 

I recall boarding a domestic flight in Houston to fly to xxx (forget).

 

I was one of the first to board however the flight attendants were already yelling at the passengers, including aggressively yelling "You have to do as you are instructed by the cabin crew."

 

The reality was that boarding was all happening calmly, quickly and the passengers all cooperating with each other, correctly putting bags into the overhead lockers etc., and cooperating with the crew. 

 

But they should have had an air marshall at the check-in desk, the mid aged check-in lady was without any reason very abusive, even insulting to all the folks checking-in and getting boarding passes.

[bfc1980]

Was the passenger a 'VIP' heading back 'home'? 

[JackGats]

2 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Agreed, but I think only US Carriers have them? I might be wrong?

Israeli carriers too. Armed and in civvies. More for terrorism prevention though.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, circa02 said:

Unfortunately it doesn't say what happened to this person, he could of been released 30 minutes later for all the clapping internet knows - in which case likely consider a win? Fast tracking deboarding and upgrade. Was he banned from future Thai airways flights? Was the return part of his ticket canceled? Was he charged?

 

Not important! He acted like an ar5e ,final!

[ross163103]

Ban him from flying on EVERY airline FOREVER! These stories of these, entitled, me, me, me people are getting more and more frequent. The airlines need to send a message, act like a human and behave in a civil fashion, ie normal human behavior, and we welcome you onboard, act like an idiot and you can take some other form of transport...............forever!

[ChrisKC]

3 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

I would think every airline has guidance, and training, for these types of situations.

 

IMO, I'd just leave the guy in the seat, and keep him happy (limited alcohol obviously), while advising FRA on the situation and that they should have police (BPOL) available to arrest him, or at least escort him off the aircraft.

 

I'm honestly not sure on the criminal jurisdiction issue, but I think it's Thailand and TG, so not sure if the German state can arrest/prosecute. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And not released until he has paid for the difference in seat prices.

[SirHonkersTheFirst]

4 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Agreed, but I think only US Carriers have them? I might be wrong?

Little know fact: after mutiple occasions of mainland Chinese folk causing disturbances mid-air, ALL flights (both domestic and international), if flown under the PRC flag, have air marshalls. Unarmed (I'm guessing), but probably pretty nasty in close quarters hand-to-hand combat.

 

They're fairly easy to spot. Usually the last to get on, with little or no carry-on luggage (domestic flights). Lightly dressed in summer, but ALWAYS with a blazer on.

 

Generally they sit midway down the plane, aisle seat, never accomapanied.

 

For domestic flights I think they might do a few flights a day. 

[soi3eddie]

What a total d**k. No way to behave. I know that economy is not that spacious but one must have respect for crew and other passengers. No excuse.

 

THAI have only been charging for those exit row/bulkhead seats since the pandemic. Seeing them empty and unused, he probably thought fair game. As we know Thai people love to enforce rules - No pay No sit Sir! Last year my mother and family flew home to the UK with THAI and they paid about £70 each to move to the exit row seats.

 

For all the flights I've done back and forth UK/Thailand with THAI over the last 25 years I have only seen any passenger related trouble on one occassion and that was a farang totally drunk stumbling around the cabin. The crew handled him very well and avoided escalation or incident. They placed him in a row and he quickly fell asleep. He was still asleep as everyone else disembarked in Bangkok. Generally THAI flights are very calm in my experience.

 

[proton]

Planes should be fitted with ejector seats, strap the offenders in and send them on their way ????

[Yorkshire Tea]

18 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

Last year my mother and family flew home to the UK with THAI and they paid about £70 each to move to the exit row seats.

Was that after they boarded the flight or when booking their ticket?

[2long]

For the last few years airlines have become wise to 

- the potential problem of people changing seats as soon as possible, such as when the doors close or when the seatbelt lights go out.

- the good business sense in charging extra for these seats.

 

In their defence, they make it clear on booking what you get and can choose from. Sadly, some people still feel it's worth risking not paying and making a dash for it to get the seat others didn't pay for.

 

I recently sat in a nice seat right behind one of the better ones and a guy did just that. The air hostess was incredibly professional about it, and even though the guy tried to convince her he worked in airlines for many years, .... he was returned to his assigned seat. And the air hostess continued to talk to him really nicely even after that. I mean like a conversation that wasn't necessary, but made the whole situation lovely.

[RichardColeman]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

There is an easy solution:

Throw him out of the door midflight would be better

[Yorkshire Tea]

4 minutes ago, 2long said:

For the last few years airlines have become wise to 

- the potential problem of people changing seats as soon as possible, such as when the doors close or when the seatbelt lights go out.

- the good business sense in charging extra for these seats.

 

In their defence, they make it clear on booking what you get and can choose from. Sadly, some people still feel it's worth risking not paying and making a dash for it to get the seat others didn't pay for.

 

I recently sat in a nice seat right behind one of the better ones and a guy did just that. The air hostess was incredibly professional about it, and even though the guy tried to convince her he worked in airlines for many years, .... he was returned to his assigned seat. And the air hostess continued to talk to him really nicely even after that. I mean like a conversation that wasn't necessary, but made the whole situation lovely.

If the seat is empty it should be up for grabs.  When you make the booking you are offered the chance to reserve "premium" seat locations.  Fair enough if people want to pay for that.  But those seats are still in economy class, same as reserving an ordinary aisle seat or window seat.  If no takers for paying extra, let people choose to grab them once the doors are shut.  Feel sorry for those who end up in the middle seats.

[scorecard]

34 minutes ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

If the seat is empty it should be up for grabs.  When you make the booking you are offered the chance to reserve "premium" seat locations.  Fair enough if people want to pay for that.  But those seats are still in economy class, same as reserving an ordinary aisle seat or window seat.  If no takers for paying extra, let people choose to grab them once the doors are shut.  Feel sorry for those who end up in the middle seats.

Well that's one opinion.

[Scouse123]

5 hours ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Agreed, but I think only US Carriers have them? I might be wrong?

El Al Israel has them