A plane skidded off the runway during a thunderstorm causing long delays at an airport in Thailand.

The Boeing 737 landed at the Mae Fah Luang - Chiang Rai International Airport in northern Thailand when it slid in the heavy rain on July 30 evening.

Low-cost carrier Nok Air said in a statement that none of the 164 passengers and six crew members was hurt as the pilots managed to manoeuvre the craft safely.

Passengers claimed they were asked to stay inside the hot cabin with no air conditioning for about one hour before being allowed to disembark.

All flights to Chiang Rai province have since been cancelled and the airport will remain closed until Wednesday, August 3 while the plane is removed and the runway is repaired.

Airlines Thai Smile, Thai Vietjet and Thai Air Asia have arranged for their passengers to be driven by bus to the Chiang Mai International Airport as an alternative departure airport.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The plane was a Boeing 737-800, an earlier model than the notorious 737 Max which has twice crashed, killing 346 people as well as suffering at least six mid-air emergencies.

Nok Air said that passengers onboard flight DD108 were taken safely to the airport terminal but there were significant delays removing baggage from the hold.

Airport boss Somchanok Tiemtiebrat said: 'The aircraft HS-DBR skidded off the runway while the pilot landed at Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport.

'The weather at the time of the incident was unfavourable as there was a thunderstorm, however, the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely without any injuries. Airport staff, the airline took care of the facility and provided accommodation for passengers.'

The Boeing 737-Max, an upgrade to the Boeing 737-800, was the subject of the damning Netflix documentary 'Downfall: The Case Against Boeing' released earlier this year.