HAT YAI - Thai Lion Air Flight SL703, which was due to depart Hat Yai international airport for Don Mueang airport at 10.05am, was delayed until 12.30pm for security checks after flight crew heard a group of about six passengers talk about a bomb in the aircraft's luggage compartment, according to media reports.
Sqd Ldr Monthanik Rakngam, director of Hat Yai airport, confirmed the reports.
He said at about 10am, while a flight attendant made an announcement asking the passengers to shut down their mobile phones and other communication equipment, other flight attendants happened to hear a group of about six passengers talk among themselves that there was a bomb in the plane's luggage compartment.
This prompted the pilots to ask the passengers, who were already seated, to disembark for security checks of the luggage compartment.
The goup of six passengers were invited for questioning.
Following the security checks, no bombs were found.
A new announcement was made that Thai Lion Air Flight SL703 would depart for Don Mueang from Hat Yai airport at 12.30pm, after a delay of about two and a half hours.
It is not yet known whether the six passengers will be subject to legal action.