A recent incident aboard an AirAsia flight from Nha Trang (Vietnam) to Bangkok (Thailand) caused widespread alarm when a male passenger stripped down to his underwear and began threatening the flight crew mid-flight.

According to the Daily Mail, the unidentified man exhibited erratic behavior shortly after takeoff. Witnesses said he walked up and down the cabin in his undergarments, shouting aggressively at crew members and demanding they open the aircraft door.

Several reports indicate the situation escalated as the man challenged crew members to a physical confrontation, adding to the growing concern for safety onboard.

Russian media sources noted that his unusual behavior began not long after the plane took off. Passengers sitting nearby said he initially seemed calm, engaging in conversation with another male traveler before his mood drastically changed.

“He kept going to the lavatory in a visibly agitated state,” one passenger recounted.

In response, the crew assessed the unfolding situation as a threat to flight safety and made the decision to perform an emergency landing at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.

As the aircraft doors opened  -  with the staircase yet to be deployed  -  the man suddenly jumped from the plane onto the tarmac, still clad only in his underwear. He sustained leg injuries from the fall.

Airport security and Thai police responded quickly, detaining the man on the runway.

By January 31, Thai authorities had formally denied his entry into the country.

According to Khaosod, the passenger is 41 years old and had applied for visa-free entry for 60 days. However, during immigration checks, officials found him to be heavily intoxicated, speaking incoherently, and unable to clarify his travel plans or lodging details.

The man was also deemed financially unqualified under Thai immigration regulations, leading to his rejected entry.

Linh Trang