Areas within northern Bangkok were pounded by a summer storm with strong winds and hailstones yesterday, forcing at least 20 flights en route to Don Mueang airport to divert.
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) President, Somnuk Rongthong, said the airport experienced heavy downpours between 2pm and 3.15pm yesterday, resulting in at least 20 Don Mueang-bound flights to be diverted to Suvarnabhumi, U-Tapao and Phitsanulok airports instead.
Meanwhile, 20 additional flights, which had started their descent near the airport were told to follow a holding pattern over the airport until the storm had passed.
Mr Somnuk added that 30 flights on the ground were also delayed. The weather cleared after 3.15pm prompting flights to get back to normal.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported heavy rain in Don Muang, Bang Khen, Sai Mai, Klong Sam Wa and Laksi districts.
Rain was also reported in nearby Pathum Thani, Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao.
In the Watcharaphol area, hailstones were accompanied by heavy rain.
Some local residents took to Twitter to post photos of the hailstones in the Phahon Yothin area during the storm.
Hailstones are common in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand but rare in Bangkok.
Deputy immigration police spokesman Pol Col Cherngron Rimphadee advised travellers to schedule for extra time while travelling to Don Mueang airport due to the rain.
At the airport, passenger boarding steps were blown astray by strong winds and damaged the wing of a Boeing 737-800 Nok Air flight DD7810 due to depart for Nakhon Si Thammarat at 2.05pm.
The flight was cancelled and the 176 passengers were forced to return to the airport terminal.
They later boarded another aircraft at 3.30pm.
The Meteorological Department has forecast summer and electrical storms for the northern, northeastern, eastern and Central regions, including Bangkok both today and tomorrow.
