A Thai AirAsia plane bound for Khon Kaen had to return to Don Mueang airport shortly after take-off yesterday morning after the pilots heard unusual sounds in the luggage compartment.
Flight FD 3254 left Don Mueang airport at 11.10am for the northeastern province of Khon Kaen.
The scheduled arrival time was 11.55am.
Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld said the pilots heard unusual sounds in the luggage compartment and decided to return to Don Mueang shortly after take-off to carry out a safety check.
A safety inspection found nothing wrong with the plane and it took off again at 12.12pm, finally landing at Khon Kaen airport at 1.10pm.
Kiatisak Senamuang, who last week led the Thai national football team to victory in its first AFF Suzuki Cup win in 12 years, was among the passengers.
The national coach said he flew to Khon Kaen to celebrate New Year with his family and attend activities to honour his success with the Thai football team.
Meanwhile, Thai Airways flight TG 916, bound for London with 226 passengers on board had to return to Suvarnabhumi airport after taking off at 1.20pm yesterday.
The airline said the pilot found a technical problem related to the aircraft's hydraulic system and decided to return to Suvarnabhumi for an inspection.
Thai Airways said it transferred the passengers to another aircraft and left around 4.30 pm yesterday.