Dhaka, Feb. 2 -- Thai AirAsia has issued a formal apology after a ground-handling lapse at Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport left 23 passengers stranded on a shuttle bus while their aircraft prepared for departure.

The incident occurred on January 17, involving flight FD3116 from Don Mueang to Hat Yai, scheduled to depart at 07:10 local time (LT) with 136 passengers onboard.

Passenger accounts shared on social media said the situation came to light when an elderly woman noticed her travel companion was missing after boarding the aircraft. The woman alerted the cabin crew as the aircraft began taxiing for departure.

Initially, cabin crew reportedly suggested the missing passenger may have missed the flight or boarded the wrong ...