17 Sep, 2023
PHUKET: There were no official memorial services in Phuket to remember the 90 people who died in the crash of One-Two-Go flight on Sept 16, 16 years ago.
The lack of any remembrance for the victims of what was one of Thailand’s deadliest air disasters has been a tradition for local officials.
Airports of Thailand Phuket branch (AoT Phuket), which operates Phuket International Airport, has never held any service to remember the victims.
One-Two-Go Flight 269 crashed during an attempted go-around after an aborted landing amid heavy rain and strong crosswinds.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 with 123 passengers and seven crew members on board was performing a scheduled Bangkok-Phuket flight (OG269).
The plane was scheduled to land at around 3.40pm but on the plane’s approach ground control denied landing and instructed the crew to execute a go-around. The plane crashed into one of the runway embankments and burst into flames.
A total of 89 of the 130 people on board died at the scene, while one survivor succumbed to burn injuries later in the hospital. In all, 40 others survived but received various injuries.
Those on board the flight included nationals of Thailand, UK, France, Australia, Canada and other countries.
Following damning reports over safety regulations, the budget airline One-Two-Go was subsequently shut down by its parent company Orient Thai, which ceased operations on Oct 9, 2018,
Local rescue worker Chukiat Ayuperm, head of the Thepkasattri branch of the Kusoldharm Foundation Phuket and a volunteer with the Pitakkarn Foundation, earlier today posted his own remembrance of the devastating accident, including photos of local rescue workers at the scene.
