Buses, Trains, Flights Songkran Chaos

[george]

The long haul home (Be smart and stay in, Folks)

BANGKOK: -- Forget buses and trains: they're all booked up. And get to the airport three hours early if you want to get anywhere

Heavy traffic built up yesterday afternoon as people headed back to their family homes for the long Songkran holiday.

Route No 9 to the Northeast was the most congested, said Pol Colonel Roy Inkapairoj, Highways Police deputy commander. He said many roads to the North and Northeast would be slow going after 6pm yesterday but expected the traffic would ease today.

"We will reverse some inbound lanes on Paholyothin, Asia and Mitraphab roads to outbound lanes for motorists leaving Bangkok when the roads get jammed," Roy said.

Traffic was also building up along Mitraphab Road in Lamtrakong area as people left the capital, and all outbound routes were very busy by yesterday evening.

Mor Chit bus terminal, Hua Lampong Railway Station and the new Southern Route bus terminal were crowded. Seats on trains and buses were fully booked.

Additional services

"Normally there are 3,744 trips to the North and Northeast. The number of passengers is expected to reach 250,000 by [yesterday], so another 2,300 trips will be laid on," said Police Colonel Jiradej Prommobol, deputy commander of the Traffic Police Division.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat warned people to buy tickets only from ticket counters. Two bus-operators were found to have sold over-priced tickets and face fines of Bt10,000.

Suvarnabhumi Airport director Serirat Prasutanond urged passengers to arrive at the airport three hours ahead during the Songkran festival to avoid missing their flights.

The Land Transport Depart- ment and the Transport Co estimated there would be up to 900,000 people travelling out of Bangkok during the Thai new year and had provided 6,400 buses, 800 more than last year. At 4pm, 13 deaths and over 300 injuries had been reported on the roads.

Tne Nation/Daily Xpress 2008-04-12

[Scott]

Well, my neighborhood used to empty out, but this year it seems they are all staying around--damnit! I enjoyed the peace and quiet.

[beejoir]

There was a serious fire at the domestic terminal in the new airport this morning.

It started at around 7am, and by 730am toxic fumes filled most of the huge terminal building, we were flying to Phuket at 750am and can't believe the didn't empty the terminal it was getting dangerous, very dangerous.

From Gate B1 you could see 6 fire engines and tonnes of fire men rushing into the ground floor, as ever NO ONE was told what was going on or what to do, the fire alarm went off a few times, but it didn't seem to matter!

[Scott]

Any updates on the fire would be appreciated. That can be very serious, but I guess not serious enough here!

[wongamat20]

looking to offer condolences again Scotty boy! (Mr Irrelevant)

[george]

There was a serious fire at the domestic terminal in the new airport this morning.

It started at around 7am, and by 730am toxic fumes filled most of the huge terminal building, we were flying to Phuket at 750am and can't believe the didn't empty the terminal it was getting dangerous, very dangerous.

From Gate B1 you could see 6 fire engines and tonnes of fire men rushing into the ground floor, as ever NO ONE was told what was going on or what to do, the fire alarm went off a few times, but it didn't seem to matter!

I've been checking with all media, news agencies, but nothing. Strange indeed.

[Tony Clifton]

There was a serious fire at the domestic terminal in the new airport this morning.

It started at around 7am, and by 730am toxic fumes filled most of the huge terminal building, we were flying to Phuket at 750am and can't believe the didn't empty the terminal it was getting dangerous, very dangerous.

From Gate B1 you could see 6 fire engines and tonnes of fire men rushing into the ground floor, as ever NO ONE was told what was going on or what to do, the fire alarm went off a few times, but it didn't seem to matter!

Has anyone seen the Thai engineers on ASTV last week?

They have just completed a one year inspection of the place, every corner.

They had at least 8 very thick binders on the table, filled with pictures of deathtraps and construction nightmares, sprinkler systems that would shower down on electrical and zap anyone soaked below were they to go off, and on and on.

They have been trying for months to find who is responsible for this and that, not one person or company responsible for the mess can be found or questioned.

AOT is also fully refusing to cooperate.

[geriatrickid]

wasn't so bad yesterday flying out of HKT and DMk. My flights were maybe 85% full on Nok. (Not such a bad airline either vs TG which I sort of avoid now.)

[hansnl]

There was a serious fire at the domestic terminal in the new airport this morning.

It started at around 7am, and by 730am toxic fumes filled most of the huge terminal building, we were flying to Phuket at 750am and can't believe the didn't empty the terminal it was getting dangerous, very dangerous.

From Gate B1 you could see 6 fire engines and tonnes of fire men rushing into the ground floor, as ever NO ONE was told what was going on or what to do, the fire alarm went off a few times, but it didn't seem to matter!

I've been checking with all media, news agencies, but nothing. Strange indeed.

Strange?

No!

Impossible, this flagship is totally safe, got it?