This is the shocking moment a plane engine exploded from a bird strike, forcing an emergency landing in Thailand.

The Airbus A320 had just taken off from Krabi heading to Bangkok when passengers saw two bright flashes on the left side wing on May 10.

Soon after, a blast sound sparked panic among the travellers, who tolled the crew. It turned out the plane had crashed into a bird, which caused it to have technical problems.

Footage shows the inside of the plane when the blast happened, and the passengers can be heard panicking.

Shaken flier Somneuk Sunprasit said: ‘I sat in the middle seat near the wing, with another passenger next to the window. The exit lights turned on at the same time. It was the first time that it happened to me.'

Thai AirAsia flight number FD3222 turned around and made an emergency landing.

The firm said in a statement on May 11: ‘This incident is the case of flight FD3222, Krabi-Don Mueang route, on 10 May 2024, originally scheduled to depart from Krabi at 7:30 p.m., arriving in Bangkok at 8:55 p.m., with 173 passengers, including two children, six crew, totalling 179 people.

‘Shortly after departing from Krabi International Airport, the plane crashed into a bird, causing engine failure. As a result, the pilot decided to fly back to Krabi Airport again.

‘The airline has decided to replace the aircraft and the passengers departed Krabi Airport at 11:22 p.m. and safely arrived in Bangkok at 12:43 am.

‘The airline apologizes for any inconvenience caused, and we thank the passengers for their cooperation. ‘

The jet was taken out of service following the engine issue.

Thai Air Asia is the local subsidiary of low-cost carrier Air Asia, run by the eccentric former QPR owner Tony Fernandes. They have at least 105 Airbus A320s in the fleet.

Tony was criticised in October last year for receiving a topless massage from a cleaner during a management meeting. He posted the picture on the corporate social media site Linkedin, mentioning his 'stressful week'.

He said: 'Got to love Indonesia and AirAsia culture that I can have a massage and do a management meeting.'