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Drunken Aussie Passenger Loaded Then Unloaded from Phuket Flight

Saturday, March 29, 2014
PHUKET: Questions are likely to be asked in Australia and Thailand about how an Aussie tourist visitor to Phuket managed to arrive on the island in an extremely drunk condition.

The man was offloaded with mechanical assistance from a flight that arrived on Phuket from Australia about 10pm.

Photographs showed the man, whose name was given as Christopher Boubis, 39, stretched out on the floor at Phuket's Thalang Hospital, stripped down to his underwear and a t-shirt.

As he sobered up, he allegedly tried to grope nursing staff.

Phuket police were not laying charges but surprised that a tourist would be deposited from a flight to Phuket in such a state.

Mr Boubis is staying at a resort in Patong. Local bars on Phuket are not known for preventing people from drinking more than they should, or from riding motorcycles when inebriated.

The drunken arrival is likely to be noted by Phuket International Airport and officials who oversee the safety of passengers in Australia.

Comments

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Why wasn't this man sent back to Australia on the next possible flight ?
I hope the Thai police are keeping an eye on his stay on Phuket !!!!

Posted by Elizabeth on March 29, 2014 16:52

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Two things about this:
Which airline as Australian Airlines went into liquidation in 2002. If it was Jetstar or any other Australian airline I would like to know the name as loading a drunk onto a plane is illegal in Australia. Which brings my second point. If he was drunk before boarding why was he allowed to board the flight.
And Elizabeth I agree completely with you he should have been backloaded as soon as he sobered up.

Posted by Arthur on March 29, 2014 17:35

Editor Comment:

I actually had an interesting experience with Jetstar a couple of years ago. There was a vacant seat alongside my friend and I. The flight was delayed. We eventually took off without the seat being filled. It turned out that the vacant seat was for an Aussie who had just been released from Phuket Prison, But he got drunk and harassed the Jetstar staff so much they eventually had to find and offload his luggage. We were saved the pleasure of his company on a long flight to Sydney.

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Its a shame there's no picture of this idiot so that we barowners know who to look out for!

Posted by jimbo34 on March 29, 2014 18:32

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A large number of people have a phobia of flying. Many self medicate with various methods and consequence. A friend has epilepsy and another has a disability that some assume them to be intoxicated. Assume make an ass of you and me.

Posted by gee on March 29, 2014 18:52

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Let me first state, I do not know this guy, but before passing judgement I would first like to see the results of a drug and alcohol test.

Posted by Laurie Howells on March 29, 2014 19:19

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It is the aircrew at the plane and in last instance the Captain that decides if somebody is fit for flight or not.
Don't think any countries have a written policy regarding rejection of arriving intoxicated passengers .. I am sure that Phuket airport receive their fair share of drunks arriving there and they can handle it quite well, this case was just maybe a bit extraordinary ;-)

Posted by Sailor on March 29, 2014 20:32

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Anybody thought to ask if this man was a diabetic experiencing a Hypoglycemic attack? The symptoms are extreme confusion, sweating and looking intoxicated.

Posted by Robin on March 30, 2014 03:37

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Robin

Does the symptoms also include groping and cursing as this man did at the hospital? Strange, never heard of that.

Posted by christian on March 30, 2014 05:20

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@ christian, reading your other posts, this one included, I see you don't know much at all. Hypoglycemia in advanced stages may very well lead to extremely aggressive, bizzare and criminal behaviour. Ask any diabetic, we know.

Posted by Robin on March 30, 2014 07:21

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I have a question for ED, in regards his comment on arthur. Do you have a friend?

Posted by Charles on March 30, 2014 07:22

Editor Comment:

Yet another strange thing to say, Charles. Try to overcome your bizarre obsession with yourself, please.

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he could have got drunk on the flight on the plane? the oxygen level is low - alcohol goes to your head
this happenned to a freind of mine 300 years back on a flight to saudi,(yanbu) by the red sea he only had a couple of cans

Posted by ayjay on March 30, 2014 07:29

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@ ayjay. Slip of the keyboard strokes there, or you are ancient. Flight first invented and flown, on December 17, 1903, by Wilbur and Orville Wright, 111 years ago. 300 years ago your friend could not have been on any flight.

Posted by Inepto on March 30, 2014 09:21

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- Elizabeth and other crusaders

Just exactly what crime did he commit to be punished by deportation ? Does Thai immigration law state arriving intoxicated is grounds for deportation ?

Get real.

If he was no danger to himself or the flight, a matter totally up to the captain to decide, then he is guilty of bad manners and stupidity but nothing more. Neither is a criminal offense.

I'm sure you are all squeaky clean and holier than holy but your rush to crucify this man to feed your feeling of superiority disgusts me.

- Inepto

If you want to be a smartass, then make sure you get your facts right.

The first successful, registered flight was in November 21, 1783.

It was undertaken in what is categorized as a lighter than air aircraft, or more commonly known as a hot air balloon.

Sure it's not 300y but 231y is a heck of a lot more than you with your snide remark suggest.

Duh !

Posted by ThaiMike on March 30, 2014 16:31

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Let's be realistic here. Even if the airline cabin crew do not serve him/her alcohol they can have duty free in their bag. I was told it is illegal to open it before your destination but I can't see how as the duty is waived for export so once you are out of the territorial area of the purchase country surely you can open it. My point is if someone is determined to get drunk they will. You cannot always blame the airlines. As for being scared etc better to see a doctor and get medication to relax you etc. However I believe to arrive in a county VERY drunk there should be a mandatory fine of a significant amount say 500USD. It is a hassle for the airport staff and also potentially dangerous for the drunk person. This will deter most people, 500USD. Arrivals normally have funds, departures......not sure.

Posted by Fiesty Farang on May 5, 2014 12:04


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