This is the shocking moment a tourist tries to open the door of a passenger plane after suffering a panic attack during take-off in Thailand.
Canadian tourist Wong Sai Heung, 40, reportedly suffered a panic attack and tried to exit the Airbus A320 as it took off from Chiang Mai International Airport last night.
Passengers had already boarded, the doors were closed and a tractor had pushed the plane off the tarmac, marking the official start of the journey.
But Heung, a computer engineer from Vancouver, caused alarm when he suddenly shouted, left his seat and demanded that flight attendants open the plane door of Thai Airways flight TG121.
He allegedly ran to the door behind the cockpit and pushed it open, activating the slider as the plane lined up to get onto the runway.
Footage showed frightened passengers talking to each other during the commotion, and a frightened Heung was then led to his seat by airline staff.
Police officers burst into the vehicle and arrested the holidaymaker. He was detained at Phu Ping Ratchaniwet District Police Station.
Wong Sai Heung is arrested on the plane. Heung, 40, reportedly suffered a panic attack and tried to exit the Airbus A320 last night as it took off from Chiang Mai International Airport
Heung is escorted off the plane. Police officers burst into the vehicle and arrested him and he was held at Phu Ping Ratchaniwet District Police Station.
The scene at Chiang Mai International Airport. The North American tourist’s alleged outburst also disrupted other arriving flights, which had to wait in a holding pattern in the sky while departing planes were also delayed.
Today he spoke in handcuffs: ‘I was very paranoid and scared. It was the same thing I had last time on the Vietnam trip, but it’s like the second big trip, but it was a major panic attack. I thought I was murdered there. I’m not okay.’
A spokesperson said today: ‘Officers have arrested 40-year-old Canadian computer engineer Wong Sai Heung for causing an act likely to endanger the safety of the aircraft.
‘Heung testified confusingly and he claimed he had had a panic attack. He was arrested before further questioning and the Canadian Embassy, tourist police and an interpreter to assist with the investigation have been called in to assist with the investigation.
‘The airport’s legal department is now also involved in checking possible additional costs under aviation legislation.’
The North American tourist’s alleged outburst also disrupted other arriving flights, which had to wait in a holding pattern in the sky while departing planes were also delayed.
The other disgruntled passengers on board the plane were taken to a hotel while they waited for their flight to Bangkok to be rescheduled.
One of the passengers, Watcharapon Pethsurp, said: ‘A plane was about to take off, but someone panicked and tried to open the door.
Passengers on the plane. Heung caused alarm when he suddenly shouted, left his seat and demanded the flight attendants open the plane door
‘As far as I know, the plane was about to take off at 9.45pm before there was a shout and then an announcement from a flight attendant that someone was panicking and trying to leave through the exit, causing it to slide open.
“The plane couldn’t fly and we had to wait for the mechanics to take it back to the pit stop.”
The flight was originally scheduled to depart Chiang Mai at 9:05 p.m. and arrive at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport about an hour later.
Wing Commander Ronakorn Chalermsanyakorn, director of Chiang Mai Airport, said the airport control tower reported that the plane was preparing to take off when the door was opened.
He said: ‘A passenger opened the door of the aircraft, causing the seat to shift and spread, rendering the aircraft unable to fly and causing it to become stuck in the middle of the runway, preventing other flights from taking off and departing. stay at Chiang Mai airport for a while.”
In a statement on the incident, state-owned Thai Airways said: “Thai Airways would like to explain the incident on flight TG 121, route Chiang Mai – Bangkok, on February 7 involving an Airbus A320 aircraft while queuing for the taking off on the runway.
“There was a passenger who opened the door of an aircraft, after which the technicians had to be sent for inspection and repair as per safety standards.
“The flight was able to depart on February 8 at 12:34 p.m. with all passengers, pilots and flight attendants safely on board.”
Heung at the police station. Police said today that Wong Sai Heung has been charged and taken into custody. He was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he was arrested
Police said today that Wong Sai Heung has been charged and taken into custody. He was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs when he was arrested.
Lieutenant Colonel Nattawut Noisorn, Deputy Chief Inspector of Phu Ping Ratchaniwet Police Station, said: “The investigating officer has charged Wong Sai Heung with two offences.
‘First, placing an aircraft in a condition likely to endanger a person, in accordance with Article 232(1) of the Criminal Code.
‘Second, violating or failing to comply with an order of the aircraft commander or of crew members giving such an order on behalf of the aircraft commander, which are orders for maintaining the safety of the aircraft or the persons or property on board, according to Article 7 Section 2 of the Act on certain offenses against aviation.’
The police officer said officers are now also discussing any additional costs with the airport.
He added: “The suspect may face further charges for aviation crimes, which are currently being processed by the relevant organisations.
“Furthermore, if the thirteen airlines affected by the incident decide to press charges, he could face additional charges.”