"Beware of Bomb" Joke Delays Flight Over 4 Hours... Thai Couple Faces Jail Time

Joke Made During Aircraft's Takeoff Preparations
Four Hour and Fifteen Minute Delay Caused by Bomb Scare

At an airport in Thailand, a flight was delayed for about four hours after a Thai couple made a joke saying, "Beware of a bomb," while the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. The couple was arrested on charges of causing panic with false statements and endangering aviation safety.

A bomb scare occurred on an AirAsia flight heading from Krabi Airport in Thailand to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand. Thai Thairat News YouTube

On April 27 (local time), the Bangkok Post reported that "a bomb scare on an AirAsia flight from Krabi Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand delayed takeoff by more than four hours, and a Thai couple was arrested."

The incident occurred as AirAsia flight AIQ 4401, an Airbus A320, was preparing for departure at the apron.

While a flight attendant was helping the 46-year-old and 43-year-old Thai couple store their carry-on luggage in the overhead bin, the couple made a remark to the effect of "beware of a bomb."

Upon hearing this statement, the flight attendant immediately triggered the onboard alarm and reported the incident to the captain.

Thai authorities stated that the inspection was completed around 8:00 p.m. that day, and the aircraft took off at approximately 9:00 p.m. The flight was delayed by 4 hours and 15 minutes, and no explosives were found.

Thai police explained that the couple was returning to Bangkok as part of a group of about 30 travelers.

The police charged the couple with causing panic through false statements, affecting aviation safety, and causing damage to the airline and passengers. According to Thai Rath News, violations of aviation navigation-related criminal law can be punished by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 baht (about 907,000 won).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.