6 October 1989

Plane hijacked by Burmese

After it took off from the southern coastal town of Mergui en route to Yangon (Rangoon), two Burmese students hijacked an F-28 Fokker plane carrying 85 people and forced it to fly to Thailand.

Thai aviation sources said the plane first made contact with Bangkok air traffic control at 5.20pm. The students asked to land at Don Mueang airport but were directed to U-Tapao military airport, where the plane was surrounded by military personnel. Following negotiations with Thai authorities, hijackers Ye Yint and Ye Thi Ha released the passengers but held the pilot, co-pilot and two stewards as hostages.

They threatened to blow up the plane if their demands for the release of all political prisoners were not met by the Burmese regime. But the deadlines passed without incident. The hijackers surrendered 11 hours later after talking with reporters and getting publicity for the prodemocracy cause in Myanmar (Burma). They told reporters they wanted to remain in Thailand because they would be executed in Yangon. They were taken to Sattahip Naval Base and handed over to police. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thienchai Sirisamphan said they would be tried in Thailand.

6 October 1989

Plane hijacked by Burmese

After it took off from the southern coastal town of Mergui en route to Yangon (Rangoon), two Burmese students hijacked an F-28 Fokker plane carrying 85 people and forced it to fly to Thailand.

Thai aviation sources said the plane first made contact with Bangkok air traffic control at 5.20pm. The students asked to land at Don Mueang airport but were directed to U-Tapao military airport, where the plane was surrounded by military personnel. Following negotiations with Thai authorities, hijackers Ye Yint and Ye Thi Ha released the passengers but held the pilot, co-pilot and two stewards as hostages.

They threatened to blow up the plane if their demands for the release of all political prisoners were not met by the Burmese regime. But the deadlines passed without incident. The hijackers surrendered 11 hours later after talking with reporters and getting publicity for the prodemocracy cause in Myanmar (Burma). They told reporters they wanted to remain in Thailand because they would be executed in Yangon. They were taken to Sattahip Naval Base and handed over to police. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Thienchai Sirisamphan said they would be tried in Thailand.