Thai Airways Investigates Flight Attendant Arrested in Australia for Heroin Smuggling

BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) - Thai Airways International PCL has launched a disciplinary probe into a 26-year-old female flight attendant arrested in Melbourne for allegedly smuggling 1 kilogram of heroin, the airline’s chief executive said.

CEO Chai Eamsiri said the employee was detained on June 24 after an Australian detector dog found the narcotics hidden in 12 fabric bags inside her luggage while she was on duty. Chai stated a disciplinary committee has been formed, and the employee will be fired immediately if clear evidence of wrongdoing is found.

Thai Airways said in a statement that the incident is an individual case currently under Australian jurisdiction. The airline is cooperating with authorities in both countries while ensuring the employee receives her fundamental legal rights. The carrier reiterated its zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal narcotics.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Kittipong Kittikachorn said the flight attendant departed Bangkok on flight TG465 on June 24. Her luggage passed standard outbound x-ray screening, which complies with international standards to detect explosives. Kittipong noted that airports globally rely on sniffer dogs to detect drugs, primarily on inbound flights, as x-ray machines cannot detect narcotics.

Royal Thai Police spokesperson Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan said the Australian Federal Police confirmed the suspect has no prior criminal record in Australia. She is currently held at a women's correctional facility in Victoria pending legal proceedings. Reports indicate she faces two charges, each carrying a maximum 25-year prison sentence, with her next court appearance scheduled for September 14.

Following the arrest, Thailand's Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) warned the public against carrying baggage or packages for others across international borders. ONCB Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson of the ONCB Areephak Ngernbamrung, said drug syndicates frequently use unwitting couriers, warning that smuggling Category 1 narcotics carries maximum penalties up to life imprisonment or the death penalty. -819 (TNA)