Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines and Nok Air Face Explosive Situation: The New Report Unveils Shocking Emergency Landings That Shook Thailand’s Skies!

Published on December 15, 2025

Thailand’s aviation sector is a critical component of its tourism‑driven economy. Between January 2022 and December 2025, the country’s airports managed several high‑profile emergency landings. These incidents ranged from runway excursions and severe turbulence to technical failures and bomb threats. Although no major crash occurred, each episode triggered comprehensive emergency responses by Airports of Thailand (AOT) or the Department of Airports, airline operators and national aviation regulators. The following chronological account summarises the notable cases during this period, highlighting the causes, safety responses and outcomes.

2022 — Nok Air runway excursion at Chiang Rai

The first serious incident in the period occurred on 30 July 2022 when Nok Air flight DD108, a Boeing 737‑800 from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, skidded off the runway during heavy rain. The aircraft hydroplaned and came to rest on soft ground beside runway 03/21. There were 164 passengers and 6 crew on board, and no injuries were reported. The runway excursion forced the airport to close for a full day while specialist teams inspected the site. The Minister of Transport instructed AOT and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to investigate and coordinate with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board. CAAT classified the event as a serious incident and emphasised that the investigation would examine landing conditions and crew actions. To assist affected travellers, AOT provided bus transfers to nearby Chiang Mai Airport and airlines offered refunds or rebookings[1].

2023 — Hard landing at Phuket, smoke in cockpit and undershoot at Samui

Thai Smile emergency landing and tail strike

On 22 February 2023, a Thai Smile Airways Airbus A320 experienced engine problems while approaching Phuket. The Phuket Info Center—part of the provincial administration—reported that the pilot declared an emergency and landed at Phuket International Airport around 1 p.m. The aircraft made a hard landing with a tail strike. All passengers were evacuated safely. The runway was closed from 1:55 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. to repair damage caused by the tail strike, delaying about 20 flights[2]. Authorities kept the aircraft for inspection and repair[3]. The incident underscored the importance of quick coordination between local authorities and AOT’s Phuket branch to minimise disruptions.

Smoke in the cockpit on Thai AirAsia flight FD369

On 24 June 2023, Thai AirAsia flight FD369—an Airbus A320 registered HS‑BBF—encountered fumes in the cockpit while en‑route to Hat Yai. The crew declared an emergency and landed safely at Hat Yai International Airport. According to the preliminary investigation notice forwarded to France’s Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA), the incident was treated as a serious incident; no injuries were reported[4]. Thailand’s Air Accident Investigation Board assumed responsibility for the investigation. The successful return illustrated how flight crews prioritise safety when faced with smoke or fumes and how regional airports can accommodate unplanned landings.

Bangkok Airways undershoot at Samui

Just two months later, on 29 August 2023, a Bangkok Airways Airbus A319 (flight PG918) approached Samui Airport during poor weather and touched down before the threshold of runway 17. The BEA notification noted that the aircraft “touched down before the threshold” and slid onto the runway[5]. No one was injured and the aircraft was not damaged. Thai investigators opened an inquiry. Though classified as an incident rather than an accident, the event prompted the airline to review approach procedures at airports with short runways and challenging terrain.

2024 — Turbulence and runway excursion at Suvarnabhumi

Severe turbulence forces Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 to land

A major emergency occurred on 21 May 2024 when Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, a Boeing 777‑300ER flying from London‑Heathrow to Singapore, encountered severe turbulence over Thai airspace. The flight crew requested an emergency landing at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, touching down at 15:51 local time. According to the airport’s director, Kittipong Kittikachorn, AOT immediately activated its emergency plan; fire‑rescue teams and medical staff met the aircraft and transported injured passengers to Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital[6]. The flight carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members. One 73‑year‑old British passenger died after suffering an apparent heart attack, seven people sustained serious injuries, 23 moderate injuries and 16 minor injuries[7]. The director emphasised that many passengers had worn seat belts but were still injured due to the sudden drop; those with minor injuries waited in the terminal until a replacement aircraft arrived[8]. CAAT officials were dispatched to investigate, and the incident highlighted how clear‑air turbulence can cause life‑threatening injuries even when flight systems function normally[9].

Thai Airways runway excursion on flight TG466

On 14 September 2024, Thai Airways flight TG466, an Airbus A350‑941 (HS‑THD), was arriving from Melbourne when it veered off the left side of runway 19L at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The aircraft damaged seven runway edge lights but came to a stop on the pavement. Preliminary data provided by Thai authorities to the BEA classified the event as a serious incident; there were no injuries[10]. The airport temporarily closed the runway for inspections and repairs, then reopened after ensuring there was no structural damage. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board launched a formal inquiry to examine factors such as runway friction and braking performance.

2025 — Technical problems, bomb threat and turbulence

Aeroflot flight SU277 diversion to Bangkok

On 10 February 2025, Aeroflot flight SU277 (Phuket–Moscow) reported a technical malfunction shortly after takeoff from Phuket. An Airports of Thailand press release explained that the flight departed Phuket at 15:20 and circled for about five hours while burning fuel before requesting a diversion to Suvarnabhumi Airport. AOT president Dr. Kirati Kitmanawat and airport director Kittipong Kittikachorn instructed staff to implement the airport’s emergency procedures. Fire‑rescue, medical and air‑traffic teams were positioned along runway 01R, and the aircraft landed safely at 21:11[11]. The airline arranged accommodation for the 331 passengers and 15 crew, and passengers were provided refreshments while waiting[11]. The incident did not require activation of the highest emergency level but demonstrated Suvarnabhumi’s readiness to handle long‑range diversions.

Cockpit windshield crack on Thai Airways flight TG401

Less than a week later, on 16 February 2025, Thai Airways flight TG401 from Bangkok to Singapore was forced to return shortly after departure. According to the airline’s statement summarised by national media, the pilot detected a crack in the outermost layer of the aircraft’s three‑layered windshield and elected to return to Bangkok as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely at Suvarnabhumi, and passengers were transferred to a replacement flight (TG401D) that departed the following morning. Thai Airways apologised for the disruption and stressed that passenger safety was its top priority[12]. Multi‑layer cockpit windows are designed to retain structural integrity even if the outer pane fails, but the decision to return underscored prudent risk management.

Bomb threat on Air India flight AI 379

On 13 June 2025, Air India flight AI 379 (Phuket–Delhi) returned to Phuket after cabin crew discovered a note in a lavatory claiming there was a bomb on board. In a statement quoted by international media, Phuket International Airport said it activated its Airport Contingency Plan, directing the aircraft to an isolated parking stand and deploying Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams[13]. All 156 passengers and 8 crew were escorted to a secure holding area while security personnel and local police searched the aircraft and baggage. The search found no explosives or suspicious objects, and the flight later departed for Delhi[13]. Authorities were unable to identify the person responsible for the hoax. The incident illustrated the airport’s capability to respond swiftly to potential security threats without causing panic.

Turbulence‑induced emergency landing on Thai Airways flight TG925

On 20 August 2025, Thai Airways flight TG925, an Airbus A350 (HS‑THY) operating from Munich to Bangkok, encountered severe turbulence during cruise over Thailand. The BEA’s preliminary notice reported that four passengers suffered serious injuries and one sustained a minor injury, but the aircraft itself was undamaged[14]. The crew descended and diverted to Suvarnabhumi, where emergency services met the aircraft. Thailand’s Air Accident Investigation Board opened a formal investigation. Like the turbulence encountered by SQ321 the previous year, this incident reinforced the need for continuous seat‑belt use and real‑time weather monitoring along busy international corridors.

Royal Thai Navy T‑337 landing gear failure at Phuket

Another unusual emergency occurred on 8 October 2025 when a Royal Thai Navy observation aircraft T‑337 attempted to land at Phuket Airport. The aircraft suffered a landing‑gear malfunction and came to rest on the runway. The airport closed the runway for approximately three hours while Navy technicians and airport staff removed the aircraft[15]. Fifty‑three flights were affected and were either delayed or diverted. A Navy spokesperson said the landing gear had failed during landing and apologised for the inconvenience; no injuries were reported[16]. The event demonstrated coordination between military and civil authorities in managing an emergency at a civilian airport.

Conclusion

Between 2022 and 2025 Thailand’s airports dealt with diverse emergency landings. These ranged from runway excursions and hard landings to technical faults, bomb scares and severe turbulence. In every case, early communication between flight crews and air‑traffic controllers allowed airports to activate contingency plans and deploy rescue and medical teams quickly. The involvement of government bodies such as CAAT, AOT and provincial authorities ensured that investigations were launched promptly and that lessons were incorporated into safety protocols. Although tragic—one passenger died and dozens were injured due to turbulence—these incidents underline the effectiveness of Thailand’s aviation emergency preparedness and highlight areas for further improvement, particularly in weather forecasting, runway safety and technical maintenance.

Reference List

1. InfoQuest/Minister of Transport briefing on Nok Air runway excursion at Chiang Rai[1].
2. Phuket Info Center report on Thai Smile A320 emergency landing and tail strike[2][3].
3. BEA notice on Thai AirAsia flight FD369 emergency landing due to smoke in the cockpit[4].
4. BEA notice on Bangkok Airways A319 touching down before the runway at Samui[5].
5. BEA notice on Thai Airways runway excursion on flight TG466[10].
6. Thai PBS coverage of Suvarnabhumi Airport director’s press conference regarding Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 turbulence emergency[7][6][8][9].
7. Airports of Thailand press release on Aeroflot flight SU277 emergency diversion[11].
8. Thai Airways statement on TG401 windshield crack leading to return to Bangkok[12].
9. Phuket International Airport statement (via Xinhua) on Air India flight AI 379 bomb threat[13].
10. BEA notice on Thai Airways flight TG925 turbulence‑related injuries[14].
11. Thai PBS report on Royal Thai Navy T‑337 landing gear failure at Phuket[16].