Vdo - Phuket Airport Flights To Or From Bangkok Are Being Disrupted By Protests In Bangkok.

[NBT TV Phuket]

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=818

This is the situation at Phuket International Airport last night after the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok announced it had to close outbound flights due to protestors in its departure lounge. Direct international flights and domestic flights from Bangkok’s other airport Don Muang are still operating as of this morning at 7am, but the flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phuket or vice versa are not in service. Meanwhile the Phuket Tourist Association President Somboon Jirayut said the members prepared to take care of passengers who cannot go to Bangkok, by providing accommodation and that they would keep tourists informed of any changes. The Phuket International Airport Director Wicha Nuenlop told Andaman News that passengers should check with their airlines before going to the Phuket airport. Voice *****

The PHUKET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT telephone numbers are 076 - 351122, 351000, 351144, or 351570.

KRABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is 075 636541-2, or 636545.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Wednesday 26th November 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews.com Send comments to [email protected]

[típ-yá-jàk-sòo yaan]

Phuket Gazette's article stated that international flights were not affected, but this is not the case. Our Air Asia flight (3524) to Singapore was cancelled today because the plane does a Bangkok to Phuket run prior to refueling and then doing the Phuket - Singapore run. We were rescheduled to tomorrow (27th) without delay, but had to coerce Air Asia into extending our return by one day. their original position was that we had to pay 850 baht each PLUS higher fare rate for the change in return booking. We were suitably unimpressed and after some pressure A-A agreed to reschedule without extra charges. BEWARE and don't be cajoled into their extra fees.

[NBT TV Phuket]

VDOs - TAT help at Phuket Airport & Flights increase this year

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=823 &tb=N823&news_headline=VDOs

All parties concerned in Phuket join hands to assist tourists who get delayed at Phuket International Airport.

A large number of foreign tourists yesterday joined in long queues at Phuket International Airport to check in for their flights. There are airlines now flying direct from Phuket to overseas destinations like Singapore, Germany’s Frankfurt, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sweden and Australia, with more planes after they were released from Suwannabhum in Bangkok. The Phuket authority joins hands with the Tourism sectors and Tourism Authority of Thailand to assist tourists by establishing an information centre on the second floor of the airport terminal. Foreign passengers enquire about bookings and updates of the situation as some said most information from the media was in Thai. Tourist police also have their foreign volunteers to assist foreign tourists. They can speak English, French, German and Russian. Settapahan Buddhani, TAT Director of Phuket told Andaman News about the latest situation for passengers who cannot go to/from Bangkok accounting for around 400 people per day. He stated that affected tourists can stay in free accommodation under the condition that their costs do not exceed 2,000 Baht per day. For any excess, tourists must be responsible and pay themselves. Tourists can only change the place of accommodation that has been arranged by Thai Hotel Association or THA. For reimbursement, tourists are required to submit the following: Copy of their passport in which they have signed and certified as a true copy; Copy of their air ticket; & Folio and hotel bill: voice Settapahan, TAT Director Phuket

Meanwhile the director of Phuket Land Transport Office Sompong Tohsawas said about 40 buses are departing Phuket to Bangkok every day and five buses are prepared to serve passengers from Phuket Airport to Bangkok and U-Thapao everyday. The fare is 800 baht per person. On the other hand, the Immigration Bureau have stated that for any tourist whose visa has expired since 26 November, till the Bangkok airports reopen, there will be no penalty or charge for overstay from the Immigration Bureau. However, tourists must show their original tickets to avoid being charged. Meanwhile, Martin Carpenter MBE, British Honorary Consul in Phuket, informed Andaman News that if any British Citizens in Phuket require assistance due to the airport closure in Bangkok, they should telephone the British Embassy Bangkok on this number: 02 – 3058333 or in case of emergency, please telephone him on this number: 089 – 874 9080 For more information regarding travel advisories, please refer to the British Embassy website http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en

item--2--- Phuket Airport statistics still show a 5% increase for passengers this year, with increasing flights during the Bangkok closure.

The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, which manages Phuket International Airport, has informed Andaman News about their latest statistics for January to October 2008. They showed a total of 31,802 aircraft movements, down 3.25% from the same months in 2007, especially due to sharp drops in August in September of about 28 & 23% respectively due to airport blockage by PAD protestors. However the total numbers of arriving, departing and transit passengers in the first 10 months of the year, was 4,808,658 showing an increase of 4.72% compared to the same months in 2007, and despite drops of 14 & 21% in August and September; but the cumulative figures are still the highest ever numbers at Phuket. The total freight showed 15,138 tons in and out, a 2.78% increase. It remains to be seen what effect the latest Bangkok airport closures will have on Phuket’s figures, but several airlines, like Thai Airways, Silk Air, Air Asia, Firefly, Finnair & Qantas, are now increasing their flights here to evacuate stranded passengers or bring new passengers in.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Monday 1 December 2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews.com Send comments to [email protected]

[NBT TV Phuket]

item---1-- on VDO at http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=828

Phuket Airport manager announces that the airport is open 24 hours a day as more flights evacuate stranded passengers.

At least 20 aircraft belonging to Thai Airways International took off from Suwannabhum International Airport on Sunday night bringing some relief for tourism businesses and stranded passengers, estimated at around 240,000 nationwide. Tourism businesses said at least they could take passengers to their home from U-Thapao airport, Phuket and Chiang Mai or to their connecting destinations. Phuket Vice Governor Worapoj Ratasrima estimated a 25% decline of tourists numbers in Phuket even though direct charter flights from overseas can operate as normal in Phuket. He however said foreign travel agents are waiting to see the situation until the middle of December. They said if the protests and airport closures continue, flights cancellations will follow. Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand local office Settaphan Bhuddhanee stated that around 400 passengers are getting delayed at Phuket Airport each day. The officials try to explain and take care of them for their convenience in terms of food and transportation. Just last night (Monday night) we talked to Phuket Airport Manager Wicha Noenlop who reaffirmed that Phuket International airport opens 24 hours a day to cater for planes. He also confirmed that direct international flights to Phuket still operate as normal. With no signs of the end to the closures of the two main airports in Bangkok, he said many airlines, including Thai International Airways, are trying to re-route their international flights to and from Phuket. Australian carriers like Qantas have already made direct flights to evacuate Australian tourists from Phuket. Bangkok Airways and Thai International are now flying to and from U-Thapao as it is currently the main connection to overseas destinations. According to Mr. Wicha, Thai Airways International also provides direct flights from Phuket to Seoul, Singpaore, Frankfurt and Sydney. Passengers however are advised to contact TG on a daily basis for flight confirmation.

Andaman News NBT (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 at 8.30am & perhaps repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 7pm & 1am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces & maybe Mazz Radio FM108 at 7pm in Phuket, Tuesday 2nd December,2008 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews.com Send comments to [email protected]

[NBT TV Phuket]

item---2-- on VDO at http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...php?news_id=835

Tourism starts recovery as 1st flight after Suwanabhum airport reopened for service departed from Phuket airport Wednesday afternoon.

Thai Airways International flight TG 2109 was the first flight heading to Suwannabhum Airport in Bangkok after it reopened for service, taking off from Phuket International airport at 12.35 hours on Wednesday carrying 370 passengers. This brought relief to stranded passengers both Thai and foreigners. Phuket Governor Preecha Rungjan was there to see passengers off and said the authority will work closely with the tourism sector to organize more tourist activities to restore tourists’ confidence and attract them back. Thai Airways International office Manager in Phuket Chantas Srinilana, said the airline is trying to release passengers from Phuket to Suwannabhum, but still has problems with flights from Suvannabhum to Phuket. He however pointed out that during the crisis, the Phuket airport can provide direct flights for around 2,000 passengers per day. TG also provided direct flights Phuket –Frankfurt on a temporary basis. That means Phuket can be a second aviation hub for the country after Bangkok. The Phuket Airport Manager Wicha Noenlop emphasizes on safety as a priority so it may take time for Bangkok airports to fully operate. He still advises passengers to check with their airline before heading for the airports:

item---3-- Phuket Tourist Association president said it takes time to restore tourists’ confidence despite the end of Bangkok airport closures.

Phuket Tourist Association president Somboon Jirayus welcomed the end of PAD’s two main airport blockages on Wednesday, but anticipated that tourists will not fly in straight away. He stressed that from now on the Tourism Authority of Thailand, private sector and Thai Airways International must work hard together to draw foreign visitors back to the country. He pointed out that it may take less time for Phuket to recover as it has direct flights from overseas. On the employment side, Mr. Anuchon Warinsatien, the provincial Social Welfare and Protection chief, confirmed that there is no report of lay offs from hotels or tourism businesses in Phuket, but they still need to see the long term effects. He said most employers would use holiday additions instead of laying off staff