Singapore PM thanks Thailand for help after emergency landing

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed gratitude to Thailand for its swift assistance following an emergency landing of a Singapore Airlines flight at Suvarnabhumi Airport last week.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin shared on his X account, formerly Twitter, yesterday that Wong had called him the previous day to extend his thanks to the Thai government and all those involved in the emergency response.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ321, travelling from London to Singapore, encountered severe turbulence as it approached Thailand, necessitating an emergency landing at Suvarnabhumi on Wednesday. The incident resulted in the tragic death of one passenger due to a heart attack, while 34 others remain hospitalised in Bangkok.

In a statement yesterday, May 27, Singapore Airlines reported that 50 people from the flight on May 21 were still in Bangkok, some of whom are receiving medical treatment. All the crew members from flight SQ321 have since returned to Singapore. Thai authorities noted that the majority of injuries involved the head or spine, with more than a dozen people requiring surgery.

In response to the incident, Singapore Airlines has implemented stricter cabin restrictions during turbulence. However, the airline has not mandated that passengers wear seatbelts for the entire duration of the flight.

The airline has confirmed its full cooperation with authorities investigating the matter.

Turbulence-related injuries or fatalities are considered rare. Nonetheless, a Qatar Airways flight over Turkey on Sunday also experienced extreme turbulence before landing as scheduled in Dublin, resulting in injuries to 12 people on board.

In related news, passengers with severe injuries from the terrifying Singapore Airlines flight turbulence could be in line for eight-figure compensation, says a top lawyer.

Following the extreme turbulence encountered by Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 this week, passengers with spinal and brain injuries might seek massive payouts, with one legal expert suggesting claims could reach easily into seven and sometimes eight-figure sums.