A former Thai pop star has filed a lawsuit against Singapore Airlines, alleging that a wooden splinter from a satay skewer became lodged in her throat during a business class flight, leaving her with permanent vocal cord injuries.
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles, Briohny Smyth, 44, claimed the incident occurred on July 28, 2024, during a flight from Singapore to Los Angeles.
She alleged that while eating the airline’s signature chicken satay, a 3.8cm wooden splinter broke off from the skewer and became stuck in her throat, causing severe pain, choking and violent coughing.
Smyth claimed she spent much of the flight trying to remove the splinter before eventually coughing up the sharp wooden fragment.
She further alleged that she later suffered ongoing throat pain, vocal fatigue, hoarseness and difficulty speaking and singing.
According to the lawsuit, an ear, nose and throat specialist found scarring and trauma to her vocal cords consistent with an injury caused by a sharp foreign object.
Smyth, who now works as a yoga instructor and public speaker, claims the injury has affected her career, as her voice is central to her profession.
She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, reduced earning capacity, emotional distress and legal costs.
At the time of writing, Singapore Airlines has not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
