Drunk Thai Passenger Scratches ICA Officer at Changi Airport

A Thai national, 45-year-old Reuangthieng Miss Varinda, was fined $3,000 on Jan 8 after pleading guilty to obstructing an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer during a chaotic incident at Changi Airport.

The event unfolded on Aug 28, 2024, at Terminal 1, when Varinda arrived from Bangkok. She had consumed alcohol on her flight and was allegedly intoxicated upon landing. Her disruptive behavior escalated during immigration clearance.

While using the automated clearance lane, Varinda ignored an ICA officer's instructions to look into the camera and attempted to exit the lane without completing the process. The officer intervened, requesting her travel itinerary and noting her slurred and incoherent speech. She was then directed to the duty office for secondary checks and asked to wait near a counter where her passport was placed.

As she grew increasingly agitated, another officer attempted to assist by directing her to clear immigration manually. Instead, Varinda grabbed her passport and moved toward the automated lanes. When a third officer tried to escort her back to the duty office, she resisted, snatching her passport from him and scratching his forearm in the process.

Varinda was eventually subdued and taken to a holding room before being arrested.

During the court proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Janessa Phua described Varinda’s behavior as uncooperative and defiant, although she was not attempting to conceal any offenses or enter Singapore illegally. The DPP sought a “high fine” given the severity of the obstruction.

The court heard that Varinda has underlying mental health conditions, including panic disorder and recurrent depressive disorder. The prosecution also clarified that Varinda was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Her lawyer, Mr. David Nayar, requested a $2,000 fine, arguing that while his client was uncooperative, her behavior was not extremely belligerent.

District Judge Brenda Chua considered the submissions and handed Varinda a $3,000 fine.

For obstructing an ICA officer in the execution of his duties, Varinda could have faced a jail term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.

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