The trend of tourists taking beach selfies while planes take-off has angered Phuket airport chiefs who have threatened them with the death penalty.<br /><br />The stretch of sand next to the busy airport on the island in southern Thailand has become a popular attraction with holidaymakers. <br /><br />Many beachgoers take pictures of themselves with the jets in the background and post the images on social media sites. <br /><br />But airport bosses are furious and have vowed to close off the section of beach amid concerns it could cause an accident. <br /><br />The ban would be covered by the same law as distracting pilots with drones and laser pens. <br /><br />Officials told local media that the maximum punishment under that law is the death sentence. <br /><br />Wichit Kaewsaithiam, director of Phuket International Airport, said: ‘’We want both the income from tourism and the aviation safety to co-exist.”<br /><br />Despite the warnings, footage taken this week at the popular selfie spot shows bikini-clad women and men in their swimming trunks taking pictures while planes take-off. <br /><br />Officials said holidaymakers will be forced further down the beach with the area used by tourists for pictures being sealed off. <br /><br />Anyone found guilty of breaching the planned married or deliberately distracting the pilots could be punished under the Air Aviation Act. <br /><br />‘’The maximum penalty is the death sentence,’’ Mr Wichit told the Bangkok Post.<br /><br />The footage was captured yesterday (April 4).
