THAI became the first airline to cancel a flight because of a mechanical mishap at newly opened Suvarnabhumi, after passengers were evacuated from the smoke-filled aircraft.

The airline confirmed that flight TG106, due to depart Bangkok at 10.20am for Chiang Mai, had been cancelled. "When the engines started up, smoke filled the cabins so we had to evacuate," said a THAI public-relations officer.

No one was harmed in the incident, he said. Authorities had been called in to investigate the source of the smoke.

THAI's corporate communications department yesterday clarified that the A300-600 aircraft, flight TG106 routed Bangkok to Chiang Mai, was stationed at boarding gate A5 at Suvarnabhumi Airport when leakage of a hydraulic pipe was detected while closing the cargo section of the aircraft.

As a result, oil particles and odour entered the cabin section, prompting THAI engineers to conduct a further investigation.

Passengers were immediately notified and safely disembarked the aircraft. No injuries were reported. THAI arranged for a new aircraft to handle the flight, which departed Suvarnabhumi Airport at 11.45am.

THAI's flight TG106 accommodated 203 passengers and 11 crew.