Thai Airways Refuses Boarding to 22 Chinese Fans Over Security Concerns
Thai Airways Refuses Boarding to 22 Chinese Fans Over Security Concerns
BANGKOK, 5 August 2026 — Suvarnabhumi Airport has apologised for the inappropriate conduct of some of its security personnel after 22 Chinese passengers were denied boarding on a Thai Airways flight to Beijing following a security incident involving a Chinese celebrity fan group.
In a statement, the airport said the incident occurred on the night of July 29 before Thai Airways Flight TG674, which was scheduled to depart Bangkok for Beijing at 11:50 p.m.
According to airport authorities, the group allegedly followed a Chinese artist into restricted passenger areas, including an airline lounge they were not authorised to enter, before continuing to trail the artist into the boarding area.
Airport security officers were called after airline staff reported the unauthorised entry. The airport said the group continued attempting to follow the artist and allegedly failed to cooperate with boarding-pass inspections, rushing toward the boarding gate and air bridge.
The aircraft door was temporarily closed to prevent passengers who had not completed security procedures from boarding. Security personnel and airline staff subsequently escorted the group back to the departure lounge.
Thai Airways later decided to refuse boarding to all 22 passengers, citing concerns that their behaviour posed a potential safety and security risk and could disrupt the flight after departure.
The airport said 12 passengers agreed to have their checked baggage removed from the aircraft, while 10 others reportedly refused and became upset over the airline’s decision. Under international aviation security regulations, checked baggage must be unloaded if its owner does not travel.
The case drew widespread attention after Chinese media reported that more than 20 Chinese passengers had been prevented from boarding despite having checked in and cleared security. Videos circulating online also appeared to show a uniformed security officer making a gesture that was widely criticised on social media as racially offensive.
Suvarnabhumi Airport acknowledged that some security personnel displayed inappropriate behaviour while handling the incident and apologised for their conduct.
The airport said Group Captain Chananat Rodkul, Director of Security at Suvarnabhumi Airport, has ordered disciplinary action against the personnel involved and instructed officials to review incident-management procedures and strengthen staff supervision.
While some affected passengers previously claimed they were ordinary travellers and had not been clearly informed why they were barred from boarding, the airport maintained that all 22 passengers were members of the same fan group whose actions led to the airline’s decision to deny them travel.
