THAI flight to HK encounters air pocket, dozens injured

BANGKOK, August 30 (TNA) - A plane of Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, encountered an air pocket while flying to Hong Kong on Friday morning, injuring 45 passengers and crewmembers. Transport Minister Chatchart Sittipunt told journalists that he has ordered the national airline to take good care of all those injured in relation to the incident although all passengers and crewmembers are insured. The minister quoted THAI President Sorajak Kasemsuvan as reporting that the injured comprised 15 crewmen and 30 passengers who did not fasten their seat belts, with the severest injury reported to be a broken collarbone of a crewmember. Some interior parts of the plane were also reportedly damaged in the air turbulence, as passengers' heads knocked the ceiling of the cabin. The injured were sent to a hospital in Hong Kong and the plane flew back to Bangkok without any passenger for a thorough check up. The THAI flight, TG600, departed from Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 8:16am and encountered the air pocket while heading toward Hong Kong. (TNA)