A married couple were arrested yesterday by police in the southern province of Krabi after they were heard to say “watch out for the bomb” by a member of the cabin crew, as she was helping passengers put hand luggage into overhead compartments.
The couple, whose identities were not disclosed by the police, later claimed that they were just joking, but police said they will be charged with giving a false statement to the authorities and for causing panic among passengers that could have affected aviation safety and caused damage to the airline.
The claimed presence of a bomb immediately prompted the cabin crew member to alert the captain of Thai Air Asia flight AIQ 4401 Krabi to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok.
The captain then ordered an evacuation of the aircraft and the unloading of all the luggage for close examination by security officials. A bomb disposal squad was dispatched to sweep the aircraft for any hidden explosives, but none were found.
The flight was delayed for about five hours.
Pol Maj-Gen Sukkasem Nakornwilai, commander of Krabi provincial police, said that the suspect couple, aged 46 and 43, were among a tour group of about 30 passengers. He said that, even though they claimed that they were just joking when they talked about a bomb, they will be charged.
