Protesters Block Access To Phuket, Hat Yai, Krabi Airport

[george]

PAD 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 2008-08-29

PAD protesters block access to Hat Yai, Krabi airports

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy started gathering outside the Hat Yai and Krabi airports Friday afternoon.

The protesters took action in retaliation against police's crackdown on protesters in Bangkok, their leaders said.

-- The Nation 2008-08-29

[george]

Protesters block [at least] two major international airports in the south

Anti-government protesters have blocked two of three major international airports in the south amid growing fears simmering political trouble in Bangkok could spread to major provinces.

Hundreds of protesters arrived at the Phuket International Airport with vehicles. They then blocked the entrances and exits of the airport.

More people were expected to come to the airport to join the protest which was intensified after police dispersed protesters in Bangkok.

Earlier anti-government protesters blocked entrances and exits at the Hat Yai airport with some 100 vehicles, amid growing fears simmering political trouble in Bangkok could spread to major provinces.

Railway union workers have already staged a strike to show support for the protestors at the Government House, starting Thursday evening with a rail service stoppage at the Nakhon Rachasima in the Northeast and Nakhon Sawan in the North.

According to the Manger website, about 500 protesters were staging a rally at the Hat Yai airport. The anti-government website said the airport would soon be "inaccessible".

A THAI source told The Nation some flights to Hat Yai have already been "re-directed". No information was immediately available.

Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union at the State Railway of Thailand at Nakhon Rachasima, said yesterday that more than 100 members of the union, including 40 train drivers, submitted their leave starting at 5:00 pm, thus paralysing all the train service from the Northeast to Bangkok.

He said the union workers in Nakhon Rachasima along with the union workers elsewhere have already submitted their leave.

Effective today, all the trains going into Bangkok will suspend their service because of the strike. The Nakhon Sawan train carrying cargo and oil stopped service at 4:00 pm, while the Kaengkoi, Saraburi service also ceased the service at 5:00 pm.

Sathorn warned commuters not to board the train from Bangkok to the Northeast as they will be left stranded along the way.

Nakhon Rachasima is the rail juncture to the Northeast.

The railway union workers' strike is aimed at showing support to the protestors in Bangkok, who have taken over the Government House over the past four days.

Sathorn said the union workers' welfare have never been looked after by the government and that they are concerned about the security of the protestors inside the Government House, who might be stormed by the police.

Local police at Nakhon Rachasima, the largest province of the Northeast, interrogated the labour union workers about the strike, but the labour union workers told them that they had no intention to destroy the government properties as claimed.

Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the Confederation of State Enterprise Labour Union, said the work stoppage is part of a civil disobedience against the Samak government.

"Over the next two days, things would become clearer over the extent of the railway strike. In principle, we would like the strike to affect the commuters minimally. Most of the long-haul train will suspend its service, while the shorter routes might continue their service," he said.

Sawit said the railway union workers will consult with the electricity and water labour unions over further strike to deprive the government of their service.

-- The Nation 2008-08-29

[LeungKen]

Hi, I am 100 metres away from the Phuket 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. If anyone wants more info p/m me.

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

L.K.

[NBT TV Phuket]

Our own website is currently down, probably due to overload.

According to our reporter at Phuket airport, a number of protestors who got into Phuket Airport are now in the car park of the airport with increasing numbers of protestors outside. Tourists can still get in by foot only from the intersection 1 kilometre away near the newer road or bypass to Thepkrasatri Road. The arrival passengers also have to walk to same area. However some tour companies are arranging to meet their passengers at a back gate near staff housing.

Flights are still operating from/to Phuket airport.

Krabi Airport: about 400 protestors got through a fence into the airport’s ground near runway, and Krabi Governor is negotiating with the group to prevent any disturbance to flights. The schedules are quiet at the moment with next flight due at 6pm.

Edited August 29, 2008 by NBT TV Phuket

[NBT TV Phuket]

1645 Phuket Airport is forced to suspend all flights as the PAD members are now in the runway area and terminal. Some 100 university students have also joined the protests.

1708: PAD members now agree to move out from the Phuket Airport terminal and runway area to state their protest outside on the road in front of Phuket Airport after the provincial authority agreed to suspend all the flights.

Edited August 29, 2008 by NBT TV Phuket

[Kerryd]

Any updates on the situation in Hat Yai ? I was supposed to fly down there tomorrow but held off buying the tickets because of the situation.

My friend in Hat Yai has heard about the problems, but she couldn't elaborate.

[LivinginKata]

Reports say that 20 passenger aircraft are circling over Phuket airport right now, unable to land or divert.

[Meerkat]

Just been called by a friend who was on his way to HKT. Plane was on final approach when told to divert to Suvarnabhumi. On the tarmac there now; pilot hasn't been told if they will have to unload in BKK or be permitted to go back to Phuket.

[simon43]

OK - I have just left Phuket Airport and can now 'file' my report! I own the Phuket airport hotel and am also a Tourist Police Volunteer.

Just before 2pm, I was alerted to the fact that the police were closing Phuket Airport. I drove the 4oo metres to the airport cargo entrance, but was turned away by Thai police and soldiers. However, they did agree to let me walk into the airport o help explain the situation to foreign tourists.

Inside the airport, it was initially fairly quiet, as those trying to reach the airport for departing flights could not gain entrance and those arriving at the airport were unsure as to what they could do!

The gates at the main airport entrance were locked shut, with demonstrators massing outside of the gate. To try to allow arriving tourists to leave on foot, a step-ladder was set up by the perimeter wall and tourists had to struggle with their luggage up and over this wall! Welcome to Phuket!

The crowd outside the gate grew restless and started rocking the locked gates. A number of protesters climbed over the gates and were escorted outside ny the police.

I went over to the cargo exit road, where there are no physical gates. The protesters at these gates decided that they would enter the airport itself, and there nothing that the few police could do to stop them. Soon the airport had maybe a few hundred noisy demonstrators with banners and flags massing around the terminal building amidst the arriving tourists.

Some tourists who were determined to find an exit out of the airport walked to the nearby Naiyang beach and attempted to leave the airport perimeter. But their path was physically blocked by the demonstrators. I went and spoke to the demonstrators and asked them to allow the foreign tourists to exit, but they refused. However, at that moment, an elderly tourist became faint with the heat, and the demonstrators relented. I helped him through the crowd to a taxi. After that, all tourists were allowed to walk out, but no-one was allowed to enter the airport.

This standoff continued for a few hours, but finally the demonstrators left the airport perimeter at about 6pm. Right now, I have just returned to my hotel and I think the airport is still closed, (but presumably will reopen when they sort out the flights!)

Simon

[richoz]

From the Phuket Gazette.....

PHUKET AIRPORT: At about 4:45 pm today, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters breached the main gate at Phuket International Airport, made their way into the main terminal and smashed the windows of the VIP lounge.

Several hundred protesters stormed the runways and airport officials have ordered a halt to all air traffic.

Police have been called in from around the island to supervise the anti-government rally, which had swelled to an estimated 10,000 protesters by 3:30 pm.

The THAI Airways Union has allowed their 15,000 staffers to stop work to show their support for the protest.

This is no longer a protest but mob like terrorist behaviour. I longer support the PAD. UNLEASH THE HOUNDS ON THEM

[NBT TV Phuket]

1907: Krabi flights have been suspended since 17:20 after the Krabi Governor negotiated with protestors. The rain however eased tempers, as protestors came off runway into the terminal.

[george]

Update:

AOT confirms all flights to and from Phuket, Hat Yai, Krabi cancelled

The acting president of Airports of Thailand confirmed Friday evening that all flights to and from Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi international airports were cancelled and the airports will be closed indefinitely.

Serirat Prasutanont, the acting president of the AOT, said the airports will remain closed indefinitely until the situation changes.

-- The Nation 2008-08-29

[george]

Update:

Three Thai airports close indefinitely after protesters vandalise Phuket terminal

PHUKET: -- Three major tourism-and-trade oriented airports in southern Thailand were closed late Friday due to People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) vandalism and interference with airport operations in three provinces.

Serirat Prasutanond, acting president of Airports of Thailand (AoT), said he had cancelled all flights at the three tourist-packed airports – Phuket International, Krabi and Hat Yai -- until further notice after anti-government protesters invaded Phuket International airport.

First Phuket airport was ordered closed indefinitely after more than one thousand PAD demonstrators forced their way into the passenger terminal, smashing glass doors and partitions, while others blocked airport entrances.

The closure order was made jointly by the Phuket provincial governor and the director of the airport, with all aircraft stopped from landing or departing as of 5 pm Friday in order to prevent further violence.

Before the closure was announced, protesters rampaged through the passenger terminal, causing much damage to property as the proceeded. PAD leaders called on the protesters not to destroy airport property, and they called on them to move outside to facilitate passengers to board buses.

The protesters later moved out as requested by their leaders, but the damage had already been done.

On Friday PAD protesters also blocked entrances at two other southern airports in Krabi, near Phuket, and at Hat Yai international airport, causing hundreds of passengers to miss their flights.

The blockade at the two airports had caused inconvenience to many foreign tourists.

Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri said security measures at airports nationwide had been tightened after security agencies had received reports that the PAD protesters planned to move against all upcountry airports if police break up the ongoing PAD demonstration in Bangkok.

State-owned Thai Airways International (THAI) labor union chief Jamsri Sukchotirat said all 15,000 members of the union planned to stop work after police used force against PAD protesters at Government House early on Friday.

If the government does not stop harsh actions against the protesters, the union would ask all 25,000 airline staff nationwide to stop work and join the protest, Mrs. Jamsri said.

In another development, Mr. Samak was holding talks with armed forces commanders in Bangkok. Details of the talks were still unknown.

--TNA/MCOT 2008-08-29

[NBT TV Phuket]

1940: The Phuket Airport Deputy Director Yuttana Jitrob-Aree told reporters that the closure is expected to continue until mid-night.

Since the closure of the airport, 16 flights have been affected both incoming and outgoing. The incoming flights were re-routed to land at Suwannaphum Airport in Bangkok, while around 300 passengers were delayed in Phuket. According to Yuthana the negotiations with PAD concluded that they would allow a Thai Airways flight to take these delayed passengers to Bangkok tonight. It would be the only flight allowed before midnight.

Edited August 29, 2008 by NBT TV Phuket

[NBT TV Phuket]

20.45: Phuket Governor Nirund Galaynamitr said he wished to explain to tourists that the protest, which forced the temporary closure of the airport, is due to a political conflict, so what the authority can do is to make sure that the situation would not go out of control, even though he cannot tell when it will end. He admitted that the situation might have caused panic among tourists, but the authority tries to ease the situation and explain it to tourists. The governor emphasized that this is a national conflict but Phuket people do not want it to occur in Phuket. The protest has harmed tourism. At this time protestors are still blocking the entrance to airport.

[simon43]

Quick update at 2045:

i just went into Phuket Airport, which remains closed to flights, (although I did hear one plane leaving at around 2030). The PAD demonstrators are still outside of the main entrance, and continuing their noisy demonstration. Inside the terminal building, all is quiet, with very few tourists but plenty of soldiers and police. All incoming flights are shown as cancelled, with the except of the Jetstar flight, which had already left Oz prior to the start of the demonstrations. That flight is shown as delayed, but I suspect that it will be diverted to BKK.

Sorry - no more photos - too dark now

Simon

[Farma]

.<snip> All incoming flights are shown as cancelled, with the except of the Jetstar flight, which had already left Oz prior to the start of the demonstrations. That flight is shown as delayed, but I suspect that it will be diverted to BKK. <snip>

Simon

Aussie tourists stranded amid protests

By Kim Christian

August 29, 2008 11:55pm

HUNDREDS of Australian travellers have been left stranded in Thailand after authorities closed three airports due to protests.

The resort island of Phuket was the first airport to shut its doors, followed by Krabi and Hat Yai in the country's south as anti-government protests spread across the country.

More than 5,000 protesters invaded Phuket International Airport, storming its two runways and preventing passengers from going in or out, Agence France-Presse reported.

A Jetstar spokeswoman said Sydney-Phuket flight JQ27 departed Sydney at 1.30pm (AEST) before being diverted to Bangkok tonight.

She said all 274 passengers would be accommodated overnight.

"Depending on what happens in Phuket, should the airport be open, we will continue on to Phuket tomorrow morning," the spokeswoman said.

She said the same aircraft was due to be used for an evening return flight between Phuket and Sydney.

"We're currently trying to contact all 265 passengers (in Phuket) to ask them to stay in their hotels pending the advice of the details of the return journey."

Continued http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...5003402,00.html

Edited August 29, 2008 by Farma

[Soontorn]

Special flight takes stranded foreign tourists from Phuket to Bangkok

<H2></H2>

Phuket - A special flight left the Phuket International Airport taking stranded foreign tourists to Bangkok Friday evening.

Thai Airways International Flight TG986 left the airport at 8:35 pm despite the protest at the airport.

Five leaders of the protesters at the airport agreed allow the flight to take off from the airport although some protesters disagreed.

The Nation

[LaoPo]

Translated news from Europe:

"Thousands of tourists are stranded in Thailand because of protests against PM Samak. Demonstrators have blocked 3 airports, amongst them the one on popular tourist island Phuket. They are threatening to block other airports as well."

Further:

3 airports blocked as Thai protests spread

excerpt:

Images broadcast on Thai television showed groups of protesters raiding the tarmac of the airport on the resort island of Phuket as bewildered tourists looked on, causing the cancelation or diversion of 16 flights. Protesters also blocked the entrance of the airports in Krabi and Hat Yai, two other tourist destinations in southern Thailand.

--Int. Herald Tribune

FINE PUBLICITY FOR THAILAND

Thailand's Air Passengers Under Threat

Constructed photo illustrating threat

From: The Korat Post and an image, posted 17 February 2008

Thai News Agency, other agencies

But how appropriate....6 months later

LaoPo

Edited August 29, 2008 by LaoPo

[john b good]

What is the current status at Phuket.

Even if flights can land / take off can people get to (and away from) the airport ??

[rundmw]

Just adding a datapoint to the news and operations component of the topic.

Sat AM, Aug 30, approx 7:00AM. I am currently in Suvarnabhumi, returning home to Phuket from USA, scheduled for a connecting flight TG 201 in an hour, still no news on airport/flight status, TG staff say to check back at 8:00 AM.

Anybody know anything else?

[BlueSmurf]

I have just checked internet and cannot find any news regarding flights to Phuket...I have th bbc and cnn on the tv and there is no new news...The only thing relevent is thet the thai PM is going to see how today goes!!! I myself hope to fly from chaing rai to bangkok then on to Phuket tomorow .Anybody in Phuket know whats happening there?

[rundmw]

TG website says TG 203 re-scheduled for 11am and TG 201 still showing 7:30am departure......

Thanks! I'll check with the staff here in Suvarnabhumi. Wish me luck!

[simon43]

Update re Phuket airport - 07.20am (Saturday)

i just went to the airport to check out the situation. No sign of any PAD supporters, nor police nor soldiers. The airport is open but all incoming and outgoing flights are cancelled until midday. In the afternoon, extra flights will be laid on to catch up with the backlog.

Simon

Edited August 30, 2008 by simon43

[simon43]

The only worrying point is that Thai news has just reported (08.20am local time) that PAD has said that if flights start again to/from Phuket today, then they will return to the airport to blockade it again.

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

[Quero]

The only worrying point is that Thai news has just reported (08.20am local time) that PAD has said that if flights start again to/from Phuket today, then they will return to the airport to blockade it again.

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

At least some BKK-HKT flights cancelled again this morning. My people who were supposed to come in last night are "stranded" at BKK, having changed yesterday evening's booking for one this morning, and then getting a message that it was also cancelled.

[LivinginKata]

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

Simon, what's the mood of the airport taxi/bus drivers. Are they in pro or anti the PAD mob ? These guys have a lot of clout.

[BlueSmurf]

The only worrying point is that Thai news has just reported (08.20am local time) that PAD has said that if flights start again to/from Phuket today, then they will return to the airport to blockade it again.

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

At least some BKK-HKT flights cancelled again this morning. My people who were supposed to come in last night are "stranded" at BKK, having changed yesterday evening's booking for one this morning, and then getting a message that it was also cancelled.

Have also just watched the thai news..It would seem that the PAD supporters in Phuket have said that " if they do not get any answers today( i would assume whether the PM will step down ) then they will return tonight to stop flights in and out of Phuket airport"! Translated by my thai wife..So maybe some hope depends what you are hoping for....You can keep some of the people happy some of the time but...................

[simon43]

LivinginKata - This morning there are very few taxi drivers to be seen at the airport (no customers!). But yesterday afternoon, the taxis and minibuses were parked up by Naiyang beach, at the top corner of the airport land. It's at that location where some tourists were able to walk along the beach to reach their transport. But none of the taxi drivers would cross the PAD 'picket line', (except in a couple of cases to help elderly tourists).

Simon

[Likeki]

I have a 1430 Air Asia flight outbound from Phuket. Any word on flights in or out for this afternoon?????