Chaos at Don Mueang Airport as Singaporean Suspect Arrested for Bomb Threat

[Georgealbert]

 

 

A bomb threat caused panic at Don Mueang Airport after a Singaporean man called to falsely claim there was a bomb aboard an AirAsia flight. Police acted swiftly, detaining the suspect and adding him to Thailand’s blacklist.

 

On November 21, at 14:47, an individual speaking Thai with a Chinese accent called Don Mueang Airport’s information desk, stating, “Do you know there’s a bomb on the AirAsia flight to Hat Yai?” Authorities identified the flight as AirAsia FD 3114, carrying 162 passengers and six crew members.

 

At the time, the plane was taxiing for takeoff. Security immediately halted the aircraft and brought it back for inspection. Passengers were evacuated along with their belongings, and a thorough search was conducted. After no suspicious items were found, the emergency plan was lifted at 19:30. However, the incident caused significant disruptions to flight schedules and passenger plans.

 

Police Major General Choengron Rimpadee, spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau, reported that investigators traced the threatening call to Mr. Ho Wai Chong, a Singaporean national. Coordination between airport security, immigration, and Don Mueang Police revealed that the suspect had overstayed his visa by 28 days.

 

Authorities discovered Mr. Ho was still inside the airport. On November 22, at approximately 19:00, officers located and arrested him in the terminal. Upon questioning, he confessed, citing stress over family problems as his motive for the hoax.

 

Mr. Ho is now in custody at Don Mueang Police Station and faces multiple charges. Initial charges include overstaying his visa, with further charges under Thailand’s 2015 Aviation Offenses Act, which criminalises false threats that cause panic or jeopardises aviation safety. Convictions under this law carry penalties of 5–15 years in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to 600,000 baht.

 

Police revealed that Mr. Ho entered Thailand using an APEC Business Travel Card, allowing him frequent entry and exit. However, following his legal proceedings, he will be deported and permanently banned from re-entering Thailand.

 

Additionally, Don Mueang Airport, the airline, and affected passengers may pursue civil lawsuits for damages caused by the disruption.

 

Major General Choengron warned both Thais and foreigners against engaging in such reckless behaviour, emphasising the severe criminal and financial consequences. He stated, “This is not a joke. Such actions can lead to imprisonment, massive fines, and civil liabilities that outweigh any momentary thrill.”

 

This incident serves as a stern reminder of the gravity of aviation-related threats and the consequences of such misconduct.

 

Picture of the suspect courtesy Matichon.

-- 2024-11-23

 

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

However, following his legal proceedings, he will be deported and permanently banned from re-entering Thailand.

 

I hope that 'following his legal proceedings' means following going through the legal process, being charged (at least the minimum 5 years (and up to 15) and serving that sentence, before he is deported and permanently banned from re-entering Thailand... 

... otherwise, just being sent home is an incredibly soft charge for this behavior. 

[ChaiyaTH]

12 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I hope that 'following his legal proceedings' means following going through the legal process, being charged (at least the minimum 5 years (and up to 15) and serving that sentence, before he is deported and permanently banned from re-entering Thailand... 

... otherwise, just being sent home is an incredibly soft charge for this behavior. 

Welcome to Thailand where you can be released 3 times for 3 murders within 10-20 years while being jailed for life doing drugs.

[Captain Flack]

An off topic post about the airport’s walkways has been removed.

[1happykamper]

I trust that it will not end up just "black listed". 

 

Need to send a strong warning to future nut jobs... Don't do this... Prison... 5 years 

[Slocum]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

 

 

A bomb threat caused panic at Don Mueang Airport after a Singaporean man called to falsely claim there was a bomb aboard an AirAsia flight. Police acted swiftly, detaining the suspect and adding him to Thailand’s blacklist.

 

On November 21, at 14:47, an individual speaking Thai with a Chinese accent called Don Mueang Airport’s information desk, stating, “Do you know there’s a bomb on the AirAsia flight to Hat Yai?” Authorities identified the flight as AirAsia FD 3114, carrying 162 passengers and six crew members.

 

At the time, the plane was taxiing for takeoff. Security immediately halted the aircraft and brought it back for inspection. Passengers were evacuated along with their belongings, and a thorough search was conducted. After no suspicious items were found, the emergency plan was lifted at 19:30. However, the incident caused significant disruptions to flight schedules and passenger plans.

 

Police Major General Choengron Rimpadee, spokesperson for the Immigration Bureau, reported that investigators traced the threatening call to Mr. Ho Wai Chong, a Singaporean national. Coordination between airport security, immigration, and Don Mueang Police revealed that the suspect had overstayed his visa by 28 days.

 

Authorities discovered Mr. Ho was still inside the airport. On November 22, at approximately 19:00, officers located and arrested him in the terminal. Upon questioning, he confessed, citing stress over family problems as his motive for the hoax.

 

Mr. Ho is now in custody at Don Mueang Police Station and faces multiple charges. Initial charges include overstaying his visa, with further charges under Thailand’s 2015 Aviation Offenses Act, which criminalises false threats that cause panic or jeopardises aviation safety. Convictions under this law carry penalties of 5–15 years in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to 600,000 baht.

 

Police revealed that Mr. Ho entered Thailand using an APEC Business Travel Card, allowing him frequent entry and exit. However, following his legal proceedings, he will be deported and permanently banned from re-entering Thailand.

 

Additionally, Don Mueang Airport, the airline, and affected passengers may pursue civil lawsuits for damages caused by the disruption.

 

Major General Choengron warned both Thais and foreigners against engaging in such reckless behaviour, emphasising the severe criminal and financial consequences. He stated, “This is not a joke. Such actions can lead to imprisonment, massive fines, and civil liabilities that outweigh any momentary thrill.”

 

This incident serves as a stern reminder of the gravity of aviation-related threats and the consequences of such misconduct.

 

Picture of the suspect courtesy Matichon.

-- 2024-11-23

 

Give him a big bill, plus max. life sentence...Show no mercy...for this kind of attitude....Scum

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities discovered Mr. Ho was still inside the airport. On November 22, at approximately 19:00, officers located and arrested him in the terminal. Upon questioning, he confessed, citing stress over family problems as his motive for the hoax.

Blacklisted from every airline in the world I hope... hope that triggers his stress levels even more.

[XB12X]

I think he needs 10 years for this.

[richard_smith237]

21 minutes ago, Slocum said:

Give him a big bill, plus max. life sentence...Show no mercy...for this kind of attitude....Scum

 

Life sentence ???....     What do you give to someone who has a tyre puncture ???... 

2 years in high security ??

 

For convictions the law carries penalties of 5–15 years in prison and fines ranging from 200,000 to 600,000 baht.

 

I am very often thankful that so many of the posters on here are not part of the legal system - there excessive attitudes would lead to some soft of dystopian almost Orwellian alternate universe where people live in perpetual state of fear - thought criminals anyone ???

 

Yes - of course this guys actions were extreme and need to be punishable by law - but some guys want to make up there own penalties - its seems the barrier of a screen and a keyboard makes them worse than the Volksgerichtshof....

[Classic Ray]

Before voting to hang him I think he should be psychologically assessed as his behaviour is not normal.

 

It may be there are mitigating circumstances that should be taken into consideration when deciding the outcome.

[marin]

4 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

It may be there are mitigating circumstances that should be taken into consideration when deciding the outcome.

So what do you suggest Sherlock? 

[Classic Ray]

1 minute ago, marin said:

So what do you suggest Sherlock? 

I already did.

[Seppius]

Maybe he was supposed to be on the flight, but missed it, a cunning plan backfired

[scorecard]

46 minutes ago, Classic Ray said:

Before voting to hang him I think he should be psychologically assessed as his behaviour is not normal.

 

It may be there are mitigating circumstances that should be taken into consideration when deciding the outcome.

 

OK, but if he's not assessed as having serious mental problems then seems to me he's well capable of knowing / understanding that bomb threats to aircraft is a very serious matter and brings very severe long-term punishments. 

 

On the other hand he's overstayed for 28 days and I think it can be assumed he knows this brings strong punishments. 

 

Perhaps he is incapable of logical analysis / thoughts and needs help. Singaporeans are well educated and well informed, and he's not a child, he's an adult, all folks (incl this guy) know that the chaos caused with a bomb threat is serious and brings serious punishment. 

[Thingamabob]

Disgusting behaviour by a despicable idiot. Give him 10 years minimum in a Thai jail before deporting.

[renaissanc]

He has probably heard that Thai prisons are such comfortable and restful places, and he no doubt wanted a break from his family for a while in one of them. I hope you enjoy your rest!

[SantiSuk]

The usual' hang-em-high response that might be expected of falang in Thailand who respond on social media to this type of occurence. I hope y'all never have to face mental health problems yourselves (and no - I am not assuming that is the case but certainly looks like a possibility.