Phuket Airport Blockade

[ozymandious]

Simon I know you have a Hotel up by the Airport, what can you tell us about it?

http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/ind...8&display=1

some 500 people blocking the airport road should be easy to spot.

Man this is not good for the Island. I used to think to my self as a silent joke "Welcome to Phuket, Here's your girlfriend for the trip" now it's more like "Welcome to Phuket, here's you mob riot and mugging for the trip"

sad

But knowing Thailand it will blow over peacefully but tonight or it will get rained out. Here's hoping for some stormy weather.

[choppychugger]

Simon I know you have a Hotel up by the Airport, what can you tell us about it?

http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/ind...8&display=1

some 500 people blocking the airport road should be easy to spot.

Man this is not good for the Island. I used to think to my self as a silent joke "Welcome to Phuket, Here's your girlfriend for the trip" now it's more like "Welcome to Phuket, here's you mob riot and mugging for the trip"

sad

But knowing Thailand it will blow over peacefully but tonight or it will get rained out. Here's hoping for some stormy weather.

Apparently the police have water cannons, so theres your stormy wether right there.

choppy

[Boater]

I have just been told on the telephone about this now, as it has something to do with the PAD

Story goes that a policeman bashed an old lady PAD supporter, and then the ploice would not allow an ambulance to get through?...

This is turning messy if they are in Phuket now!

[LivinginKata]

It most likely the Phuket contingent of PAD supporters that just returned from Bangkok yesterday. Guess things are too boring for them back home on Phuket Island.

[ozymandious]

# just got bumped to 1,000 protesters with police from across the province being called in to deal with the situation.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/dailynews/ind...9&display=1

[baabaabobo]

Latest from The Gazette:

Anti-government rally crowd at Phuket Airport reaches 1,000

PHUKET: More police have been called in from around the province to supervise anti-government protesters at Phuket International Airport as crowd numbers reach 1,000. No reports of violence.

[keemapoot]

Oh great. I am flying to Phuket in a few hours. I'll come back on the thread in the evening to report (if I get home!). I just called Thai and they said the flights are departing on time and they know about the protest, but have no word on whether or not people are getting out of the airport ok or not.

[Boater]

I have just been called by a friend at Samui Airport, the PAD are gathering there as well....

There plan is to block all airports in Thailand......

What a bunch of w$%^£kers!!!!!

[TexasRanger]

I hope the police get pro active with them now, they are starting to get too big for their boots. We can't have the country disrupted like this, time for the gloves to come off I think, they won't listen to reason that's for sure.

[keemapoot]

Knowing Phuket people as I do, the taxis and others will beat the living daylights out of those protesters if they interrupt their incomes. I expect lots of police to protect the protesters as well as boot them out.

[lazeeboy]

gonna get ugly very soon

[Damaz6052]

So much for democracy the PAD supporters have gone to far. They've lost the plot wonder how much they're being paid!!!

[jitagon]

I hope the police get pro active with them now, they are starting to get too big for their boots. We can't have the country disrupted like this, time for the gloves to come off I think, they won't listen to reason that's for sure.

oooooo, your 'ard

[TexasRanger]

I hope the police get pro active with them now, they are starting to get too big for their boots. We can't have the country disrupted like this, time for the gloves to come off I think, they won't listen to reason that's for sure.

oooooo, your 'ard

And ugly too

[ozymandious]

I know I must be missing something simple here but how are the airports political? you want to make an impact? blockade the Leo, Chang, Sang Som, and Mekong distribution plants ;-)

[Jingthing]

Well, the longer this goes on, and it has gone on longer than I thought it would, doesn't that mean the greater chance PAD will win its goals (to topple Samak)?

[TexasRanger]

I know I must be missing something simple here but how are the airports political? you want to make an impact? blockade the Leo, Chang, Sang Som, and Mekong distribution plants ;-)

You won't see them messing with Lao Khow production...

[baabaabobo]

PAD-led protesters block road to Phuket Airport

Phuket - Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy blocked the road to the Phuket International Airport Friday afternoon.

Prayuth Tiraksa, a PAD leader in Phuket, said the protester started blocking the road at 2 pm.

The Nation

Latest reports put the number at 5000

[keemapoot]

I was just going to leave for the BKK airport when I got a call that the aiport is indeed closed. I can't get through to Thai airways, the lines are crazy. So, I am staying put. I'll update when I can, a friend has a friend who works at Phuket airport.

[lazeeboy]

this is great news for the tourist industry,its all going to end in tears

[TexasRanger]

this is great news for the tourist industry,its all going to end in tears

Biting the hand that feeds

[lazeeboy]

too many problems ,people will find new destinations next year

[ozymandious]

Oh great. I am flying to Phuket in a few hours. I'll come back on the thread in the evening to report (if I get home!). I just called Thai and they said the flights are departing on time and they know about the protest, but have no word on whether or not people are getting out of the airport ok or not.

Keep us updated

[LeungKen]

Hi, I am 100 metres away from a/port roadblock which is less than 1 km from a/port itself.

Foot traffic is passing through (both to & from) and nothing else. aircraft continue to fly in and out. I anyone wants more info p/m me.

Supporters appear to be appearing in droves and a small police force is assembling.

L.K.

Edited August 29, 2008 by LeungKen

[keemapoot]

I just spoke with Thai airways and they confirmed that the flight is not cancelled and the airport is not closed. I guess I'll go take my chances. Evidently, you have to walk out of the airport to get through the blockade.

[george]

This topic already exist as Breaking news, please continue here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Protesters-B...Ha-t209237.html