Wrong Gate, Right Attitude: Middle-Aged Chinese Men Queue With Military Precision, Absolute Certainty
By KIP DUNGWORTH, STAFF REPORTER
DON MUEANG AIRPORT, THAILAND — Dozens of middle-aged Chinese tourists were observed lining up at the wrong gate with flawless discipline and unwavering confidence early Saturday, in what witnesses are calling “a masterclass in coordinated misdirection.”
The group, part of a package tour bound for Chiang Rai, reportedly formed a single-file queue at Gate 41 nearly 40 minutes before boarding was scheduled to begin — at Gate 28
“They moved like a unit,” said one gate agent, visibly impressed. “No questions. No hesitation. Just straight to the wrong place with total commitment.”
Dressed in matching windbreakers and clutching duty-free bags like tactical gear, the men stood shoulder-to-shoulder in formation, ignoring all signage, announcements, and at least three attempts by staff to redirect them.
“They stared straight ahead like they were waiting to storm a beach,” said a Singaporean passenger who accidentally got caught in the line. “I didn’t know whether to join them or salute.”
Attempts to explain the gate change were met with polite nods, followed by a full return to formation. A fourth attempt involved laminated signs, hand gestures, and finally, one very tired supervisor who physically escorted the group across the terminal in a slow-moving phalanx.
Sources close to the baggage carousel say this is not the first such incident. Similar misalignments have been reported in Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and once at a Bangkok Pizza Company.
“They were wrong, but they were together,” said one Thai Airways staffer. “You’ve got to respect that.”
All passengers eventually boarded the correct flight, on time, in exact boarding group order. Not a single seat was missed. Not a single expression changed.
As of press time, the group was last seen marching toward the Chiang Rai baggage claim with the same synchronized certainty — directly into the men’s restroom.