Airport officials said the incident occurred last week when a crowd of fans followed the Chinese celebrity to board Thai Airways flight TG674 from Bangkok to Beijing, Bangkok Post reported on Tuesday.
Authorities did not disclose the celebrity’s identity.
The fans followed the celebrity into the boarding gate holding area, where they ignored instructions to present their boarding passes and rushed to get closer to the star while he walked along the aerobridge to the aircraft.
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Passengers arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Jan. 4, 2023. Photo by Reuters |
To prevent them from boarding without proper checks, airline staff closed the aircraft door. Security personnel and airline employees then escorted the group back to the departure gate holding area after they gathered at the entrance to the plane.
Airline staff subsequently refused boarding for 22 fans because they did not comply with safety measures and airline regulations, Nation Thailand reported.
Airport management said airline staff believed the group could have disrupted the flight and created an uncontrollable situation after takeoff if they had been allowed to board.
Twelve of the fans agreed to have their checked luggage removed from the aircraft, while 10 others objected and made provocative gestures toward officials, Global Times reported citing Suvarnabhumi Airport’s management board.
The airport management board said the security guards were acting to protect passenger safety and ensure the smooth operation of the flight, but acknowledged that some officers behaved inappropriately and failed to meet the airport’s service standards and operational regulations, Bangkok Post reported.
Airport management apologized for the conduct of the security personnel involved and said the officer concerned had been disciplined.