In an intriguing turn of events that seems straight out of a modern-day air travel saga, a video that recently hit the social media waves has everyone buzzing. The footage, released by the somewhat mysteriously named Red Skull X account— a handle that boasts a whopping nearly 620,000 followers—captured a bold passenger in the act of smoking an e-cigarette aboard a plane that took off from the scenic vistas of Chiang Rai.
But before you start imagining an audacious rebel storming through the aisles, vaping away in defiance, let’s rewind the reel to the origin of this airborne controversy. Authorities at the serene gateway of northern Thailand, Mae Fah Luang Airport, were quick to zoom in on the identity of this rule-defying traveler. And it turns out, the vape-wielding protagonist of our tale is a woman who now finds herself in a cloud of legal smoke. Charged not only with lighting up an e-cigarette on public transport—a no-no under the stern gaze of the Tobacco Products Control Act, BE 2560 (2017)—she might also be staring down the barrel of the Act on Certain Offences Against Air Navigation, BE 2521 (1978). Talk about a flight turning into a legal nosedive!
In response to this high-altitude drama, Sqn Ldr Somchanok Tiamtiab-Rat, the esteemed airport director-general, spun into action. With the precision of a pilot maneuvering a tricky landing, he ordered the airline to extend an olive branch—or a legal summons, to be accurate—to the passenger for further legal turbulence.
But how, you might wonder, did our protagonist manage to board the plane with her electronic accomplice? Sqn Ldr Somchanok reveals a plot twist worthy of a detective novella. Despite the vigilant pat-downs and the all-seeing eye of the X-ray machines, our e-cigarette emerged unscathed, its secret shield being the plastic mouthpiece—a material as elusive to X-rays as a ghost in the night. It seems that even in the high-tech realm of airport security, some villains can slip through the net.
The posting of the video stirred a whirlwind of reactions, with the anonymous videographer being both a narrator and a critic of this airborne saga. “This is shameful,” they penned, a sentiment echoed by many in the mighty chorus of social media. The bewilderment at how such a breach could occur despite the rigorous security checkpoints became a hot topic.
Yet, in the end, this tale serves as a cautionary fable. Sqn Ldr Somchanok reminds us that vaping accessories, affectionately dubbed “mods” by aficionados, alongside the myriad of e-liquids and disposable vapes, are all forbidden passengers in Thailand’s skies. These contraband companions will be unceremoniously snatched by the vigilant guardians of airport security, should they dare attempt to fly.
So, as our saga concludes, let it be a reminder to all intrepid travelers that the skies are not just a backdrop for our journeys but a realm governed by laws designed to protect us all. And perhaps, next time, our mysterious vaping traveler will think twice before igniting controversy at 30,000 feet.
Is vaping really that harmful that it needs to be banned on flights? Seems like an overreaction to me. It’s not like she was smoking a cigarette.
It’s about maintaining air quality and respect for others in a confined space. Second-hand vapor isn’t exactly pleasant for everyone.
But isn’t the vapor basically just water? I mean, it dissipates quickly unlike smoke.
Actually, e-cigarette aerosol isn’t harmless water vapor. It can contain harmful substances, including nicotine and lead.
Rules are rules. If you don’t like them, don’t fly. Simple as that.
How come airport security scanners can’t detect something as simple as an e-cigarette? We need better technology.
The scanners are designed to detect threats to aircraft safety, like weapons and explosives. An e-cigarette doesn’t fall into that category.
Interesting. Could this incident prompt a tech upgrade though? Maybe there’s room for a more nuanced detection system.
Facing charges under the Tobacco Products Control Act AND the Act on Certain Offences Against Air Navigation? Seems like they’re throwing the book at her.
I think it’s necessary. It sets a precedent that such behavior won’t be tolerated. It’s about preserving safety and order.
A fair point. But it does make me wonder about the balance between enforcing laws and ensuring they’re proportionate to the offense.
This is what happens when people think they’re above the law. I have no sympathy for her.
I saw the video, and honestly, it was just foolish. Why risk legal trouble for a vape?
The videographer, Red Skull X, sounds more intriguing than the story. Who are they? A vigilante or just a concerned citizen?
I remember when smoking cigars and cigarettes was a thing on planes. Times have definitely changed.