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

An AirAsia flight was delayed by about four hours at an airport in Thailand after a Thai couple made a joke about “being careful of a bomb” while the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. The couple was arrested on charges of causing public fear with a false statement and endangering aviation safety.

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On April 27 (local time), the Bangkok Post reported that “a bomb scare occurred on an AirAsia flight heading from Krabi Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, resulting in a takeoff delay of more than four hours and the arrest of a Thai couple.”

The incident took place as AirAsia flight AIQ 4401, an Airbus A320, was preparing for takeoff on the tarmac.

While a flight attendant was helping the 46-year-old husband and 43-year-old wife stow their carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment, the couple made a comment to the effect of “be careful of a bomb.”

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

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

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

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

The police charged the couple with causing public fear through a false statement, compromising aviation safety, and causing harm to the airline and passengers. According to Thai Rath News, violating criminal laws related to air navigation can result in up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 baht (equivalent to about 907,000 won).

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