3 words banned at Thailand’s airports

Unless you want to land yourself a prison sentence and a hefty fine, there are three words you should avoid saying in Thai airports and during flights, warns Airports of Thailand (AOT).

AOT took to Facebook yesterday to remind passengers of their policy of what is unacceptable to say and do in an airport following the controversy caused by a Thai model on social media yesterday, who filmed herself intentionally repeating the word “bomb” (raberd) at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Nisamanee “Nut” Lertvorapong drew criticism online for sneakily fitting the word “bomb” into her sentences around the airport – e.g., “I want to eat noodles with fish ball bombs,” “your dress is the bomb.”

Some netizens said the model was only making a joke which shouldn’t be taken so seriously. Others said that such stunts can cause the flight to be delayed if heard by staff, who have to offload all luggage to be checked via machine and conduct extra security checks.

According to AOT, three words are categorically forbidden to say in the airport or during a flight – 1) “bomb/explode” (raberd), 2) “terrorist attack” (kankorkanrai), and 3) “hijack” (jee khruangbin or plon khruangbin).

AOT warned that making false claims at the airport or aircraft which is likely to cause panic is a crime punishable by no more than five years and/or a fine of no more than 200,000 baht.

If a false claim or action causes danger to the aircraft during a flight then the offender is liable to be punished with a prison sentence between five and 15 years and/or a fine between 200,000 – 600,000 baht.

AOT’s policy also forbids passengers to cause panic by making statements such as, “the aeroplane is going to crash,” writing the word “bomb” on an aircraft window, or throwing your bag at passengers/staff and running away.

There are no reports to suggest that Nisamanee was arrested or summoned regarding her stunts at Suvarnabhumi yesterday.