Thai Airways denies 22 boarding after Suvarnabhumi gate breach

Thai Airways denied boarding to 22 ticketed passengers on a Bangkok–Beijing flight after celebrity fans breached the gate and jetbridge at Suvarnabhumi Airport. LoyaltyLobby reports that fans of a Chinese celebrity followed him from check-in into the Royal Silk Lounge, then rushed past Thai Airways staff and entered the jetbridge without authorization. The crew closed the aircraft door once people surged into the jetway.

The 22 were denied boarding for posing a safety threat and refusing to follow staff instructions. The flight was delayed while bags were offloaded. Some of those denied boarding protested. Airport security detained the 22 people. LoyaltyLobby says staff mocked them with facial gestures that drew racism accusations. China's ambassador to Thailand protested and Airports of Thailand issued an apology. The site argues airport security failed to control the crowd from the terminal through the gate.

Ticketed passengers on Thai Airways out of Suvarnabhumi can still be denied boarding when a jetbridge is breached, even after buying a seat to follow a celebrity. Allow extra time at BKK and expect possible Thai Airways delays if similar crowd-control incidents recur.