The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is awaiting an explanation from domestic airline Nok Air, following complaints from some passengers of flight delays, leaving them stuck on the aircraft without air conditioning for hours. The flights concerned were from Bangkok to Hat Yai and from Bangkok to Phuket on Saturday.

In one social media post, a passenger said he was on a flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai, but the aircraft got stuck on the runway because the plane’s engine would not start. The air-conditioning system on the plane also did not function, leaving them soaked in sweat, as if they had been “splashed with water during Songkran.”

The passengers were later allowed to disembark into the departure lounge, where they were each given one doughnut and a small bottle of drinking water. They were told to re-board the same plane, with the captain assuring them that the plane was safe. Several passengers protested, however, saying that they would not travel on that aircraft. Finally, Nok Air found a new plane for the passengers, which left Don Mueang airport at 6.05pm, instead of the scheduled 1.20pm.

A passenger of the flight to Phuket also complained of getting stuck in the plane on the runway for hours without air-conditioning.

He said he was very frustrated with the flight delay, because he felt pity for his parents and 5-year-old nephew with him, adding that the flight was supposed to arrive in Phuket at 8pm, but ending up arriving there at about 1am the following morning.