Lion Air. (kompas.com)

A Lion Air flight was abruptly canceled Sunday afternoon after one of the passengers jokingly suggested that his carry-on bag might have contained explosives in his bid to attract a flight attendant, an ongoing police investigation revealed.

Pol Colonel Surachet Bandhit, superintendent of Don Muang Police Station, said Sunday the joke was made when a flight attendant was about to put the bag in the overhead bin.

"In line with safety procedures, the flight attendant decided to alert the captain. After that, the flight was cancelled, all passengers were evacuated, and the man who mentioned the explosives on the flight was handed over to investigators," Surachet said.

According to him, the man - identified as Pichit Boondaeng - told police that he just meant to tease the flight attendant as he wanted to woo her.

An explosive-ordnance-disposal team found no bombs inside Pichit's bag.

The 23-year-old suspect was charged with spreading false information that caused panic inside an aircraft. If convicted, he may face up to five years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt200,000.

Lion Air is also preparing to sue him for compensation because his action caused serious commercial damages as the flight could not provide services as scheduled.

The flight's route was from Don Mueang Airport to Hat Yai Airport. (kes)

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