Ahhhh, this is Thailand.

I find it funny that the pax made their assessment of the aircraft's airworthiness by assessing the expressions on the faces of the mechanics.

I find it funnier still that the pax were willing to be convinced of the aircraft's airworthiness if the mechanics' supervisors would fly with them to Narathiwat. A typical American in the same situation would insist that he be allowed to get off the plane.