Krabi Protesters Block Airport, City Hall - Again

[george]

Krabi protesters block airport, city hall

KRABI: -- Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy in Krabi staged protested against the announcement of stage of emergency in Bangkok by briefly blocking the airport Tuesday morning.

They later moved to rally at the Krabi city hall.

Their leaders said they might also block major roads in the province.

-- The Nation 2008-09-02

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Krabi protesters block airport, city hall

KRABI: -- Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy in Krabi staged protested against the announcement of stage of emergency in Bangkok by briefly blocking the airport Tuesday morning.

They later moved to rally at the Krabi city hall.

Their leaders said they might also block major roads in the province.

-- The Nation 2008-09-02

RIP Thai development and tourism.

[NBT TV Phuket]

10.30am September 3rd, 2008 :

Situation resumes to normal in Krabi with no protesters at the Provincial Hall nor airport.

Things are quiet in Krabi now after protesters – supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy ( PAD ) - left for Bangkok yesterday. The international airport in Krabi is also operating with normal flights services.

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Yesterday, September 2nd:The PAD supporters also gathered at Krabi Provincial Hall and departed for Bangkok at around 5pm yesterday.

<p> Members and supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy started to gather at a ground in front of the Krabi Provincial Hall since 10 am yesterday with police officers present for security. The officers also put up a barricade in front of the governor’s office building while traffic was flowing as normal.

Jareh Kaewsom, the coordinator for the PAD in Krabi, said the gathering followed the government’s State of Emergency announcement and that they intended to travel to Bangkok to support the protesters there. They did not shut down the provincial Hall, just gathered on the ground, as they said they know that shutting the Governor’s office or airport would harm local tourism and cause difficulty and inconvenience for members of the public. Also a few hundred students from local schools came out to march on the road calling for the prime minister to resign. The protesters finally departed for Bangkok. in the afternoon yesterday so this morning there is no gathering of the PAD supporters at the Krabi Provincial Hall.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + FM90.5 Radio Thailand at 8.30am & perhaps relays/repeats on local Cable TV channel 1, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Wednesday 3rd, September 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ ( we will load miniVDO & text later)

Send comments to [email protected]

Edited September 3, 2008 by NBT TV Phuket

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Krabi tourism sector estimate around 100 million baht was lost during 2-3 days of protests with concerns for bookings for this up coming high season.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=611

<p> The Krabi Tourist Association president, Amarit SiripornJuthakul estimated about 100 million baht was lost following the 3 day protests and shut down of Krabi airport with aftermath impacts. This also covers consumption and related businesses he said. Mr. Amarit emphasized that during the time, the Krabi operators took good care of their guests and the association requested their members to offer two complementary nights with breakfast to delayed guests, free transportation and provided or suggested alternative options for their travel schedules or plans for tourists, with the most conveniences that they can offer. After the protests the tourism sector met and gathered data which indicated cancellation of bookings for this high season from Scandinavia and Europe. The businesses were also concerned about the tourist decisions this month of September and October when tourists start to make their booking plans, as protests would affect their decision to choose a holiday destination. The Krabi Tourist Association requested that the conflicts or protests must be stopped soon before the region’s image is more adversely damaged.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + FM90.5 Radio Thailand at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & possibly FM108 Mazz Radio 7.30pm in Phuket, Thursday 4 September 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Send comments to [email protected]

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: The Tourism Minister visited Krabi Airport to restore tourist confidence after the protest incident.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=665

After meeting with local tourism sector leaders and officials in Phuket, on Wednesday evening the Tourism and Sports Minister Veerasak Kowsurat led related officials such as the Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT Deputy Governor and foreign media members to visit Krabi airport. The minister held a meeting with the Krabi Governor and related officials at the airport’s meeting room. The Governor Siwa Sirisaowalak reported to him that the situation has now resumed to normal with the airport operating routine flight schedules. The meeting however called for the government to support the reinforcement for the airport safety measures such as the gates & fences as during the protest people easily got onto the runway through barbed wires. The minister said he came down to support the operators and he would request foreign media to talk direct to local operators on the present status of the local tourism products. Krabi Airport’s latest statistics show 6.41% more passengers this year up to July, but 22% less aircraft compared to last year, indicating bigger aircraft are carrying more passengers there.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + FM90.5 Radio Thailand at 8.30am & perhaps relays/repeats on local Cable TV channel 1, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, Friday 12th September 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ Contact [email protected]