Passengers aboard a low-cost VietJet Air flight from Bangkok to Taiwan experienced quite a wild ride when a rat and an otter were smuggled onto the plane by a fellow passenger. Chaos ensued as the creatures, along with 28 live turtles, a snake, a marmot, and two other unknown rodents, were let loose in the main cabin mid-flight.
One passenger, who wishes to remain anonymous, described the scene as the air hostesses panicked upon noticing the rat and otter running around on the floor. “I was confused, so he said again, ‘pet rat, pet rat, it has a white body and it’s not small,” the passenger recalled.
Upon landing in Taipei, the authorities conducted a search of the plane and found the animals inside a box among the luggage. The police have focused their investigation on one female passenger who allegedly smuggled the creatures through security at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Thailand. According to the Prevention and Control of Animal Infectious Diseases statute, the woman could face a hefty penalty of up to $31,000.
The chaos intensified as one passenger informed the cabin crew that there was an otter hiding under a seat. “That’s when they found the big otter under one of the seats,” the passenger said. A search for the white rat ensued, and it was later found and captured, biting one of the employees in the process.
As tensions rose on the flight, the cabin crew demanded that whoever brought the animals on board come forward immediately. After an investigation began, the guilty party demanded a refund and admitted to owning the escaped animals. It is believed that the woman may have purchased the animals at a local Thai market and attempted to bring them back home with her.
Upon landing, the turtles were placed in quarantine, and the other animals were sent to Pingtung University of Science and Technology for examination and confirmation before authorities “dispose” of them. VietJet Air, Vietnam’s largest privately owned airline, has yet to release a statement regarding the incident.
This incident has raised concerns about the safety and security procedures at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, as well as the importance of following regulations when traveling with live animals. Passengers and authorities alike are urging for stricter measures to be put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, what was supposed to be a routine flight turned into a chaotic and bizarre experience for passengers on board the VietJet Air flight. The incident also sheds light on the issue of smuggling live animals and the potential risks to the safety of passengers and the well-being of the animals involved.
