Chiang Mai—
On February 9th, 2024, Pol. Col. Manatchai Inthuean, the superintendent of the Phupingkharajaniwet Police Station in Chiang Mai, publicly revealed more information about the case of a Canadian tourist who attempted to open an airplane door while taking off from Chiang Mai to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Recently, a 40-year-old Chinese-Canadian computer engineer whose name was publicly identified only as Mr. Wong attempted to force open an airplane door on flight TG121, Chiang Mai-Suvarnabhumi while taking off on the runway. As a result, there were 13 flights delayed, causing more than 2,296 passengers inconvenience.
According to a report by Pol. Col. Manatchai, after Wong was being held in police custody, he went into a panic and caused himself self-harm. The Phupingkharajaniwet police had to suppress him and transferred him to a mental hospital, under professional care.
However, the physicians would conduct a thorough mental examination to diagnose Wong and determine whether he had a mental illness or not.
The Phupingkharajaniwet inquiry officers would process the case further according to Thai laws before submitting the matter to the Thai courts for further detention as there was a maximum 48-hour detention period. However, Wong would remain under the care of physicians until the physicians gave their medical opinion on his mental health.
As for the case, the inquiry officers spoke to the Canadian Embassy in Thailand for further processing in coordination with his family.
Initially, Wong was pressed on charges according to the Air Navigation Act. Thai Airways might file additional legal charges if Wong was found to have damaged airline property.
