A passenger was arrested after making a joke about a bomb on an AirAsia flight in Thailand.

The Thai man, 63, allegedly said 'there's a bomb in the overhead compartment' as the plane was taxiing to the runway in Phuket.

Cabin crew reported the comment to the captain, who immediately stopped flight FD3092 that was bound for the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok on May 23.

Air traffic control alerted the emergency services along with police and airport security. More than 200 passengers were evacuated from the Airbus A320.

Police Colonel Salan Santisasanakul, superintendent of Saku Police Station, who led the investigation, said: 'The pilot reported the incident to air traffic control, requesting the aircraft be isolated.

'The aircraft was secured within a 100-metre exclusion zone, with access restricted to authorised personnel only.

'All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, then subjected to thorough personal and baggage screening before being transferred to a waiting area.'

A bomb disposal team conducted a full search of the aircraft and the bags onboard. No explosives or suspicious items were found.

The suspect Thanawut Wichaidit was detained at the airport before being taken to the Thalang district station.

He faces prosecution for making a false bomb threat.

AirAsia stated it would take legal action over the 'inappropriate behaviour' that allegedly violated aviation regulations.

A spokesperson from Phuket Airport said that all procedures were carried out in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, reiterating its priority of passenger and crew safety.