BANGKOK — An unruly British tourist was removed from a Thai Lion Air flight at Don Mueang International Airport on 25 June after causing a scene that held up the departure for over an hour.
Fellow passengers caught the moment on video, which quickly spread online and sparked new debate about disruptive behaviour during flights and the difficulties airline crews face in handling such events.
The man, described as overweight and wearing a bright orange Garfield t-shirt with green cargo shorts, started arguing after being told he could not switch from his window seat to an emergency exit row for extra legroom.
Witnesses say he complained about his seat being too tight for his size, then lost his temper and clashed with flight attendants. After he ignored repeated instructions, staff called airport security.
Footage aired by global news outlets shows police officers pulling the man along the aisle of the Boeing 737 while he shouts and fights back. Passengers can be heard calling him selfish and demanding that he move so the flight could continue.
Brit Dragged off Thai Lion Air Flight
The commotion left many travellers frustrated at the long wait. The plane finally took off about an hour late from Don Mueang Airport. Thai Lion Air has not commented officially, but sources say the crew followed normal procedures for dealing with unruly passengers.
The event has stirred debate about airline policies, especially on seating arrangements and support for travellers with special needs. Some online users blame the airline, suggesting more flexible seating could help avoid such problems, while others have criticised the passenger’s attitude and actions.
Incidents like this are not rare in Thailand. In February 2024, a 35-year-old British man was arrested after a violent outburst on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok to London Heathrow. He reportedly attacked a crew member and damaged a bathroom, forcing passengers and airline staff to restrain him until police boarded the flight on arrival.
In another case from December 2022, two Indian passengers fought each other on a Thai Smile Airways flight from Bangkok to Kolkata. A video showed a flight attendant trying to break up the brawl, which ended only after the men were separated and controlled.
Thai Smile Airways later said their crew handled the event according to international safety rules.
These cases show how airlines, especially budget carriers like Thai Lion Air, can face real trouble when tensions rise on board. Small seats and strict rules may add to the problem. Thailand’s aviation industry has come under pressure to improve staff training and give clearer information to passengers.
The recent Jeju Air Flight 2216 tragedy, after leaving Bangkok, though not caused by passenger actions, has drawn even more attention to flight safety and passenger behaviour in the region.
The forced removal of the British tourist has also raised questions about seating policies and whether airlines should offer more options for people of different sizes.
Some people want more inclusive seating, but others point out that safety comes first, especially for emergency exit rows that need able-bodied passengers ready to help if needed. Thai Lion Air and other carriers face tough decisions as they try to balance comfort with safety rules.
Authorities have not named the British tourist or said if he will face charges. The case is still being looked at, and Thai Lion Air is expected to share more details soon. For now, the widely shared video keeps the discussion alive about respect and good conduct when flying.
