Passengers on a flight from Malaysia to Bangkok were startled by a Thai man who became agitated mid-journey, repeatedly shouting demands for the aircraft to land and reportedly attempting to open an exit door.
The man was a lieutenant in the Royal Thai Army who had been receiving treatment for mental health issues, RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the defence ministry, said on Monday.
A video taken by another passenger aboard the flight to Don Mueang International Airport was shared widely on social media on Sunday. The airline and flight number were not disclosed.
The recording showed a man in a white shirt pacing up and down the aisle while repeatedly shouting the word “landing” in English.
At one point, he spoke incoherently in Thai, roughly translated as: “No one can choose what they are born to be. This is the best in our lives. We all need to talk.”
According to reports, the man attempted to open an aircraft door during the incident. Two male cabin attendants were seen struggling to restrain him and eventually securing him in a seat. He continued shouting, sometimes profanely.
On Monday, RAdm Surasant confirmed the man worked in the ministry's Office of Policy and Planning.
He said the lieutenant had been undergoing treatment for a mental health condition and experienced a relapse during the flight. After the plane landed, he was immediately taken to Phramongkutklao Hospital in Bangkok for further treatment, the defence spokesman said.
