Suvarnabhumi Airport Cancels All Flights As Protesters Surge Into Terminal

[Nirvana]

Updated by CNA

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp.../392833/1/.html

[cmsally]

Organizers of the prolonged raid on the Bangkok international airport have insisted that they will bring down the government at any cost. In targeting the airport they have taken a dramatic strategic step and have also made a move of enormous symbolic importance.

Suvarnabhumi Airport represents modern Thailand. The new airport was a huge project aimed not only at cementing the country’s commercial place in Asia but also at demonstrating how far it has come by comparison to most of its immediate neighbors.

Under normal circumstances, legions of security personnel would have protected the terminal, accompanied by the dire warnings of senior officers about anyone thinking to damage national prestige with funny business that might upset foreign tourists and businesspeople. Under normal circumstances, the police would have quickly moved to prevent or end any seizure, just as they did when protests occurred on government premises against the interim military regime last year.

Full article here : Final battle in Bangkok

A very good article above and in fact very true; can the PAD monster be put back in the bottle even if the will is there.

My husband has had a different theory to mine viz the PAD motives and it could be he has been totally correct. A very scary thought.

[Danton]

A very good article above and in fact very true; can the PAD monster be put back in the bottle even if the will is there.

My husband has had a different theory to mine viz the PAD motives and it could be he has been totally correct. A very scary thought.

The question to ask yourself is what prevents Thailand from being a country where normal circumstances apply , just like elsewhere in the world.

To me the answer is plain to see.

[Old Man River]

The PAD are rapidly going down and them holding the airport is their last stand. Bangkok's rich who were supporting them are changing their minds now as they're losing more and more money due to stopped imports and exports as well as the economic damage the country is taking.

The Airport Authority is currently keeping the airport closed until all of the PAD leave. The PAD have said they would remain, but not interfere with flights. This has not been acceptable to the Airport Authority. This is the current stalemate.

[animatic]

The PAD are rapidly going down and them holding the airport is their last stand. Bangkok's rich who were supporting them are changing their minds now as they're losing more and more money due to stopped imports and exports as well as the economic damage the country is taking.

Most of Thai exports goes out of the shipping sea ports in containers.

Fast or perishable items go by air, but the bulk is via containers.

[syd barrett]

Passengers booked with Emirates airlines can re-book from Hong Kong, KL or Singapore all expenses paid including overland travel. See link below:

EMIRATE UPDATE

[Felt 35]

Suvarnabhumi Airport represents modern Thailand

Suwarnabhumi Airport represent Thaksin and his populist politic.

Thailand had done well for 20 years to come on Don Muang with some expansions and upgrades there.

[sbk]

Please take PAD discussions to other threads thanks, this one is for airport updates, flight information etc etc

thanks

[BowmoreIslay]

Not sure when Swampy will be reopens. However this interesting announcement from the TG Labor Union think it is quite soon. The announcement is in Thai.

http://www.tg-union.com/index.php?la...e=1&No=1196653

Essentially: We must work together to topple the government within this 1-2 days. Otherwise THAI service has to be suspended indefinitely. The source of the problem is the government. THAI's existence depends on your decision to act now. You must not remain silent.

[GizmoBKK]

BREAKING NEWS >> Friday November 28, 2008 16:25

PAD removal to progress from mild to severe

BangkokPost.com) - Senior government, police and military officials took part in a teleconference called by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat Friday to discuss the national situation after the government declared a state of emergency on two of Bangkok's international airports the night before.

Interior Minister Kowit Wattana, who was appointed by the prime minister to oversee all authorities involved under the emergency executive decree, said methods aimed at removing the PAD groups from the airports would progress from mild and increase in severity, and that the focus would be on negotiation.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Suchart Muenkaew was assigned by the prime minister to lead all operations to clear protesters from Don Mueang airport.

Pol Lt Gen Suchart said after the teleconference that authorities will attempt to convey to members of the mob that they are violating the law and persuade them to leave. Some of these attempts could be relaying the message through friends and relatives, posting of announcements, and air-dropping fliers.

According to Pol Lt Gen Suchart, representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the Lawyers' Council of Thailand, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the media would be invited to discuss each and every step the police plans to undertake. There would be live broadcast of police work, including crowd dispersion if such a measure becomes necessary.

PAD members at Don Mueang airport on Friday lined up cars to use as makeshift bunkers covering the airport's entrances. Barb wire and pickup trucks were also being used as barriers elsewhere in the airport compound.

[thaij]

Please can anyone help me.

My parents are supposed to be traveling with Etihad tomorrow morning and obviously can't fly!

Is there anyone else on here who is supposed to be traveling with them with any updates

Thanks

[thaitransit]

SRT train service seating availability updates today 5pm 28th November 2008.

Services to Malaysia via Southern Thailand.

28/11/2008 Friday - ALL SOLD OUT

29/11/2008 Saturday

171 BANGKOK - SUNGAI KOLOK (RAPID) 13:00 2nd class seats = 25 3rd class seats = 590

35 BANGKOK - BUTTERWORTH (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 14:45 SOLD OUT.

37 BANGKOK - SUNGAI KOLOK (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 15:10 2nd class seats = 9 3rd class seats = 196

41 BANGKOK - YALA (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 22:50 2nd class seats = 56

30/11/2008 Sunday

171 BANGKOK - SUNGAI KOLOK (RAPID) 13:00 2nd class seats = 56 3rd class seats = 592

35 BANGKOK - BUTTERWORTH (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 14:45 ALL SOLD OUT.

37 BANGKOK - SUNGAI KOLOK (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 15:10 2nd class seats = 22 3rd class seats = 192

41 BANGKOK - YALA (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 22:50 2nd class seats = 20

1/12/2008 Monday

171 BANGKOK - SUNGAI KOLOK (RAPID) 13:00 2nd class seats = 46 3rd class seats = 589.

35 BANGKOK - BUTTERWORTH (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 14:45 1st class sleeper = 2 2nd class sleeper = 46.

37 BANGKOK - SUNGAI KOLOK (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 15:10 1st class sleeper = 1 2nd class sleeper = 62 2nd class seats = 45 3rd class seats = 191.

41 BANGKOK - YALA (SPECIAL EXPRESS) 22:50 2nd class seats =158.

[BangkokBP]

Slightly amusing...

thought i would share it, maybe it makes someone smile.

[robee]

Now it's the lead story on CNN's web page:

http://edition.cnn.com/

Followed by a blog entitled "Thailand's Decent Into Chaos"

So much for tourist season 2008......

and beyond...

[Maestro]

Please can anyone help me.

My parents are supposed to be traveling with Etihad tomorrow morning and obviously can't fly!

Is there anyone else on here who is supposed to be traveling with them with any updates

Thanks

See this post in another thread:

for your information , flights leaving from U-tapao are for the people who ALREADY had a ticket and were stranded on the first night , then they will fly the people stranded on the second day and so on.... if you have a ticket , just wait your turn , provided the airline you flied in with made arrangement to fly from there.

a thai friend of mine who works and lives in france just came back from etihad offices , they offer the hotel tonight and transfer to U-tapao for tomorrow's flight to abu dhabi for the people who missed the 8:40 am flight on november 26. She went there 90 minutes ago and is already booked on tomorrow's flight.

People have to go to their airline office and let the airline know they are ready to go.

--

Maestro

[balou]

Organizers of the prolonged raid on the Bangkok international airport have insisted that they will bring down the government at any cost. In targeting the airport they have taken a dramatic strategic step and have also made a move of enormous symbolic importance.

Suvarnabhumi Airport represents modern Thailand. The new airport was a huge project aimed not only at cementing the country’s commercial place in Asia but also at demonstrating how far it has come by comparison to most of its immediate neighbors.

Under normal circumstances, legions of security personnel would have protected the terminal, accompanied by the dire warnings of senior officers about anyone thinking to damage national prestige with funny business that might upset foreign tourists and businesspeople. Under normal circumstances, the police would have quickly moved to prevent or end any seizure, just as they did when protests occurred on government premises against the interim military regime last year.

Full article here : Final battle in Bangkok

A very good article above and in fact very true; can the PAD monster be put back in the bottle even if the will is there.

My husband has had a different theory to mine viz the PAD motives and it could be he has been totally correct. A very scary thought.

http://ratchasima.net/

I suggest to anyone to read interesting articles here about the PAD leaders: http://ratchasima.net/

A part of Thailand history, i am very surprise that they have so many protesters.

then...As we cannot have and write any opinion here.

If the PAD is elected, i will seriously look after leaving the country. Anyway i am already looking for.

[fft100]

Which airlines are flying INTO U-tapao ? That would be interesting for me to know.

The AOT and suvarnabhumi websites have no info at all about any of this or any updates at al - but i suppose that is typical of them.

[rainman]

I love this:

Acting THAI president Narongsak Sangapong said there were around 6,000 leftover international passengers by Friday, and the airline has arranged lodging for stranded first- and business-class passengers. The airline advised economy-class passengers to fend for themselves.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=132357

[BangkokBP]

Heavily-armed police block main road to Bangkok airport

At 6:55 pm Friday, police equipped with M 16 assault rifles were deployed to block a main road to the Suvarnahbhumi International Airport.

Police set up a road block on the Lard Krabang- Suvarnabhumi Road and did not allow any vehicle to pass through.

The nation

[Chang_paarp]

For those stuck here is the information posted on the Tiger Airline site about flight disruption.

Flights on 30th November are due to operate as normal but please check our website for up-to-date information

Notice from Tourism Authority of Thailand to passengers affected by the flight cancellations:

Affected passengers stranded in Bangkok due to the closure of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will arrange complimentary accommodation with breakfast for the stranded passengers till the airport resumes normal operations and passengers are able to get a flight back to Singapore.

For assistance, kindly contact TAT Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Management Centre as follows:

Tel. (66)-2-250 5500 Extension 1701, 1702 & 1703

Tel. (66)-2-253 8844

Tel. (66)-2-652 8313 &14

Fax. (66)-2-652 8315

Otherwise, passengers can also proceed directly to the 5 hotels listed below. Passengers are to produce their passports and airtickets for the check-in formalities. It is advisable to call the hotels to check on the availability before proceeding.

THE TWIN TOWERS HOTEL

88 Rong Muang, Patumwan, Bangkok 10300

Tel. (66)-2-216 9555

Contact Person - Khun Nalinee Tel. 85-075 9998 or Khun Watchirachai Tel. 81-831 5554

www.thetwintowershotel.com

ROYAL PRINCESS LARN LUANG

296 Larn Luang Road, Pomprab, Bangkok 10100

Tel. (66)-2-281 3088

http://www.dusit.com/hotels/thailand/bangk...uang/index.html

EASTIN HOTEL MAKKASAN

1091/343 New Petchburi Road, Makkasan, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400

Tel. (66)-2-651 7600

www.eastinbangkokhotel.com

HOTEL IBIS HUAMARK

5 Soi Ramkamphaeng

15 Ramkamphaeng Road, Huamark, Bangkok 10240

Tel. (66)-2-308 7888

Contact Person - Khun Duangkamol Tel. 89-892 4851

www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6297-hotel-ibis-huamark-bangkok/index.shtml

REGENT SUVARNABHUMI

30/1-32/1 Soi Ladkrabang 22, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10500

Tel. (66)-2-326-7138 to 43

Contact Person - Khun Pichaya Tel. 81-255 4833

www.regentsuvarnabhumi.com

[Terminator]

Passengers booked with Emirates airlines can re-book from Hong Kong, KL or Singapore all expenses paid including overland travel. See link below:

EMIRATE UPDATE

this is true, i got this morning flight changed to kl on 1 dec, may have to train or bus to bangkok, or try airasia to utapou

[nickh]

Daily News Phuket, Thailand:

Saturday, November 29, 2008,

100,000 passengers miss flights in 3 days

http://www.phuketgazette.net/articles/article6941.html

[oceano]

Airplane start to land in Utapao Pattaya, I listen from my house.

[oceano]

one every half hour.

[Jai Dee]

MAS has three more flights out of U-Tapao today

Malaysia Airlines is mounting three flights on Saturday and another three on Sunday from the U-Tapao Airport near Pattaya to facilitate the movements of its stranded passengers in Thailand.

AirAsia, which used to have seven flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok, is also bringing in one flight on Saturday and it is scheduled to depart U-Tapao at 7.20pm.

MAS Area Manager for Thailand A. Vijakumaran said flight MH785 would leave U-Tapao at 11.05am and MH789 at 2.15pm. Both have been fully booked and would use Airbus aircraft with the capacity of 294 seats each.

He said MAS managed to get the third slot which would take off at 7.55pm from U-Tapao and limited seats were still available. On Sunday, the three flights would leave U-Tapao at 11.05am (MH785), 2.15pm (MH789) and 5.10pm (MH783) and tickets were still available.

The airport is located about 140km from Bangkok with travelling time of about two and half hours by road.

The plan by the Malaysian Government to bring in a military aircraft to carry its stranded citizens, however, has been put on hold due to difficulties in getting a slot at the congested U-Tapao airport.

Anti-government protesters forced the closure of the Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in the capital since Monday night, causing close to 100,000 passengers to be stranded in Bangkok.

Due to lack of facilities at the naval base airport of Utapao, the Thai authorities declined to grant more slots to airlines, which are struggling to cope with thousands of stranded passengers and growing demand to leave the country as fear of coup and violence rises.

Source: Star Online - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Etihad to fly for stranded Thailand passengers

Etihad is flying from Thailand to Abu Dhabi by special relief flights to carry stranded passengers, the first of which is arriving early this morning, Gulf News has reported.

Etihad's Boeing 777 flight will a capacity of 378 passengers from U-Tapao International Airport, about 150km east of Bangkok.

Source: United Arab Emirates - 29 November 2008

[sezze]

China-Airlines now operating from Utapao for several flights and Chiang Mai for the flight to and from Amsterdam and Taipei ( CI 065/066 ) . Since they opened up many international airports in Thailand i think a lot of the big flights are going again . Check the website from your company to see how they are rerouted and/or going .

[Chang_paarp]

What is the point of opening U-Tapao International Airport? The Army will welcome PAD protesters inside with open arms.

I think it is a Navy base, this is why the Navy were named in the state of emergency rather than the Army.

[sbk]

george has posted an important announcement from the TAT regarding stranded passengers here

[stevoo]

bbc 11.30 am uk, suva to remain closed until evening of the 01/12/08, quote from thai airport authorities. i am supposed to fly 20.10 tonight from uk