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Thai actor, 47, who survived 1998 plane crash, reveals he was also in seat 11A, same as Air India crash sole survivor
Eerie coincidence.
Thai singer-actor, Ruangsak James Loychusak, 47, who survived a plane crash 27 years ago that killed 101 passengers, expressed his shock that the sole survivor of the recent Air India disaster was also seated in seat 11A.
via Ruangsak James Loychusak Facebook
Ruangsak was in seat 11A when Thai Airways TG261 went down in a rubber plantation in Surat Thani province on Dec. 11, 1998.
The tragedy left 101 of the 132 passengers and 14 crew members dead.
A total of 45 people were injured.
Coincidence involving seat 11A?
Ruangsak posted his reaction to social media on Jun. 13, revealing that he was also in seat 11A, when his plane travelling from Bangkok to Surat Thani suddenly stalled and plunged into a swamp as it attempted to land.He added that he had "goosebumps" when seeing that the only survivor from the Air India crash in Ahmedabad in Gujarat was British passenger Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada, who was in seat 11A when the aircraft he was in descended into buildings.
"The lone survivor of the plane crash in India was sitting in the same seat number as me, 11A," Ruangsak said.
"I want to offer my condolences to all those who lost loved ones in the tragedy."
via Ruangsak James Loychusak Facebook
11A seat reported in 1998
Although the Thai artiste no longer has his ticket from the doomed flight, he said newspaper reports of the incident then had reported his seat number.The sole survivor of the Air India crash still had his boarding pass with him after he got out of the burning plane.
His 11A seat was close to the emergency exit, which popped open upon impact when the plane crashed.
Still remembers trauma
Ruangsak also described how he has lived his "second life" having survived such a traumatic experience."I had difficulty flying for 10 years after the crash. I would struggle breathing, even though the air circulation was normal," he said.
"I avoided speaking to anyone and always stared outside the window, blocking anyone from closing it to maintain my sense of safety," he added.
"If I saw dark clouds or a rainstorm outside, I would feel terrible, like I was in hell."
He said he could still recall details of the accident: "I can still remember the sounds, smells, and even the taste of the water in the swamp the plane crashed into. For a long time, I would keep the feelings to myself."
Ruangsak's post about the coincidence received more than 13,000 reactions.
Air India accident sole survivor
Ramesh, 40, is the lone survivor out of the 242 aboard flight AI171.He was also seated in 11A.
He lost his brother in the crash, who was seated in 11J.
The Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into buildings moments after takeoff on Jun. 12.
The aircraft, which was bound for London Gatwick, exploded in a fireball.
Ramesh said he saw two air stewardesses die in front of him.
Top photo via Ruangsak James Loychusak Facebook & archived Thai newspapers
