UPDATE: CANADIAN CHARGED FOR TRYING TO OPEN THAI PLANE DOOR ON RUNWAY

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Agency Report

A Canadian who attempted to open an aeroplane door when it was ready to take off and said someone was trying to kill him has been charged, according to Thai police, who made the announcement on Friday.

On a Wednesday Thai Airways flight from the northern town of Chiang Mai to Bangkok, the 40-year-old tried to open the emergency exit.According to authorities, the incident resulted in delays for almost a dozen planes.

“He was charged with two counts — causing harm to others in the aircraft and not following aircraft staff instructions,” Nattawut Noisorn, deputy chief of investigation at Phu Ping Ratchaniwet police station, told AFP.

“He told us he opened the door because someone in the plane tried to kill him. He was very panicked.”

Police are investigating whether he had used any substances before boarding the plane or was suffering any mental illnesses.

Watcharapon Pethsurp, who was on the flight, described the drama.

“I was sitting at the back of the aircraft and I heard a strong wind and shouting from the front part. It was chaotic,” he told AFP.

“The man was shouting saying a man in a black outfit was trying to kill him.”