100,000 Passengers Miss Flights In 3 Days

[george]

AIRPORT CRISIS

100,000 passengers miss flights in 3 days

Total could hit 300,000

BANGKOK: -- Nearly 100,000 passengers have missed flights since protesters shut down Bangkok's two main airports on Tuesday and the total could hit 300,000 as the shutdown continues, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said yesterday.

"The total number could hit 300,000. When Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are cleared, it will take 24 to 48 hours to verify aviation standards. It will take time to send people home," he said after a meeting with 14 airlines yesterday, including Japan Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and EVA Air.

The ministry will set up an emergency centre to help stranded travellers, whose number is estimated to be about 30,000 a day.

Four hotels will be chosen for airlines to operate check-in counters, where passengers can reschedule flights and pick up new tickets and be transferred by coach to U-tapao International Airport, 190km southeast of Bangkok. The centres are expected to start operating in the next 48 to 72 hours, the minister said.

TAT is to gather travellers' information. Those put in priority groups will be sent home first, while their baggage will be shipped on later flights.

Weerasak said the ministry would host a discussion with representatives of the Customs Department, the Immigration Department and related private and government agencies over additional assistance measures.

Thai AirAsia chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld expects no more than 10 aircraft - belonging to Thai Airways International, Nok Air and Bangkok Airways - to operate from U-tapao, as most aircraft and equipment are locked up at the two airports and can not be moved out. U-tapao will be useful for incoming flights, he said.

"We have no power to bargain for the aircraft as the government itself could not," he said. He also urged airlines with aircraft to extend help to other airlines' stranded passengers, to restore the tarnished image.

Nok Air CEO Patee Sarasin expects the airport shutdown to be extended, which is not good for any airline. Nok Air, which normally handles 2,000 passengers a day, is still selling advance tickets.

"This will affect our business plan next year, but I don't know how yet in the middle of chaos like this," he said.

Among stranded travellers are a group of 20 arts teachers from France who are now in Ubon Ratchathani. Traveller Alain Muni said protests were frequent in France and major venues had been shut down, but an airport had never been closed. While his visa is not a problem, he is concerned about extra expenses if he has to stay here for a long time.

Anti-government protesters seized Suvarnabhumi on Tuesday evening and Don Mueang on Thursday morning. Some 7,000 travellers were stuck at Suvarnabhumi when it was raided, more than double the figure given by airport authorities at the time, Weerasak said.

Tourism Authority of Thailand overseas offices are instructed to slow down their activities promoting air trips even if the airports reopen soon. TAT is ordered to focus more on trips on other transportation and encouraging more Thais to travel to compensate for the lower income from foreign travellers.

Hotels in Nakhon Ratchasima witnessed a 90-per-cent cancellation of hotel bookings from foreign travellers, mainly those from Europe who could not reach Thailand after Suvarnabhumi Airport was shut down.

Sawat Mangkornwat, chairman of the tourism business council in Nakhon Ratchasima, said travellers have lost confidence in safety following the shutdown of the airport.

They have switched to neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Malaysia.

If the problem is prolonged, the country's tourism and economy will suffer greatly and it could affect employment if business operators could not cope with expenses and needed to lay off workers. Now they are turning to local travellers through special packages. From the council's survey, tourism business in the province - involving hotels, restaurants and resorts - has lost Bt200 million so far.

"Both sides must retreat for the national interest. They must step back to end the problem, before the country's economy is battered even more," Sawat said.

He urged the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and the PAD to stop its protest. Ending the conflicts would restore tourist and investor confidence.

Kamphol Tansajja, director of Nong Nooch Garden in Pattaya, is fretting that foreign travellers may not return to Thailand, following news that Thailand is bracing for civil war, which could affect their safety.

He noted that his property suffered greatly during the Sars epidemic and the Persian Gulf War but survived due to support by Thai tourists. He also urged Thais to do the same thing this time.

-- The Nation 2008-11-29

[george]

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) provides assistance to the stranded passengers

Due to the Airports of Thailand (AoT)'s suspension of services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, all inbound and outbound flights were cancelled since 04.00 hrs. during 25-26 November 2008, causing inconvenience to over 3,000 passengers. The stranded passengers who fly with THAI have been accommodated by Thai Airways International.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Thai Hotels Association (THA) transferred the remaining stranded passengers to the following hotels:

1. Regent Suvarnabhumi Hotel

Address: 30/1 - 32/1 Soi Ladkrabung 22, Ladkrabung District, Bangkok 10520

Tel: +66 2 326 7138-43

Contact person: Khun Pitchaya (Tel: +66 81 255 4833)

2. Twin Towers Hotel

Address: 88 New Rama 6 Rd. Rongmuang, Pratumwan, Bangkok 10330

Tel: +66 2 216 9555-6

Contact person: Khun Nalinee (Tel: +66 85 075 9998)

Khun Watchirachai (Tel: +66 81 831 5554)

3. IBIS Hotel

Address: 5 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 15, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., Bangkok 10240

Tel: +66 2 308 7888

Contact person: Khun Duangkamol (Tel: +66 89 892 4851)

4. Eastin Hotel

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

Tel: +66 2 651 7600

E-mail: [email protected]

Contact person: Khun Isada (Tel: +66 81 692 1919)

Khun Niti (Tel: +66 81 207 0970)

5. The Centric Ratchada

Address: 502/29 Soi Yuchroen, Asoke-Dindaeng Road, Dindang, Bangkok 10400

Tel: +66 2 246 0909

E-mail: [email protected]

6. Ambassador Hotel Bangkok

Address: 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110

Tel: +66 2 254 0444

E-mail: [email protected]

Besides the above, the Rose Garden Riverside Hotel at Petchkasem Road, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom (Tel: +66 34 322 544, +66 34 322 545, +66 34 322 588) has announced welcoming the stranded passengers stay with the hotel during 26-27 November 2008. Also, the Hotel Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok at Phaholyothin Road has been welcoming their guests, who just checked out from the hotel and cannot fly to their home country due to the temporary closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, back to the hotel without charges.

On the basis of assistance, for tourists and travellers who cannot travel to their destination as of 25 November, 2008, till the airport reopens, TAT and Ministry of Tourism and Sports have provided accommodation and meals, as well as facilitated tourists as much as possible until they are able to return to their destination. For more information regarding accommodation, please contact the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) ( Tel: +66 2 237 6064-8, +66 2 632 7400-2), as well as the following Hotlines:

- 1414 : Ministry of Tourism and Sports

- 1672 : Tourism Authority of Thailand

- 1155 : Tourist Police

On the other hand, for any tourist whose visa has expired since 26 November, 2008, till the airport reopens, there will be no penalty or charge for overstay from the Immigration Bureau. However, tourists must show their original tickets to avoid being charged.

International Public Relations Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand

Fax: +66 2 253 7419

E-mail: [email protected]

[Chang_paarp]

AIRPORT CRISIS

100,000 passengers miss flights in 3 days

Total could hit 300,000

BANGKOK: -- Nearly 100,000 passengers have missed flights since protesters shut down Bangkok's two main airports on Tuesday and the total could hit 300,000 as the shutdown continues, Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat said yesterday.

"The total number could hit 300,000. When Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are cleared, it will take 24 to 48 hours to verify aviation standards. It will take time to send people home," he said after a meeting with 14 airlines yesterday, including Japan Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines and EVA Air. <<Snip>>

Someone should tell Tiger Airways, they offered my a seat on tomorrow's (Sunday 30/11) flight. The girl was a little put out when I laughed.

[george]

No way out

BANGKOK: -- Almost 100,000 foreign tourists are still unable to return home, but the number of passengers stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport may double or triple if the situation is prolonged.

U-tapao airport has been used as a gateway for sending foreign visitors home. As of yesterday afternoon, six flights had taken off. The flights will increase to 15 today and 48 tomorrow. Aircraft capacity is about 300 passengers per flight.

Asia Hotel, JW Marriott, Maenam Hotel and Centara Grand would serve as check-in venues. Airlines will announce hotels for their check-ins today. Imperial Queen's Park and Holiday Inn are on stand-by to accept passengers checking in for flights. Passengers would then be taken by bus to U-tapao.

The Tourism and Sport Ministry would need at least 200 million baht a day, based on 2,000 baht per head for accommodation and meals, as expenses for stranded tourists, according to Minister Weerasak Kohsurat.

He said previous figures showed that about 30,000 foreign visitors fly into Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport each day.

"Once the People's Alliance for Democracy protesters leave the airport, authorities will need time to restart operations. If the protest is prolonged, stranded foreign visitors may reach 200,000-300,000," Mr Weerasak said.

The ministry will ask cabinet to get money from the Budget Bureau. Currently, it has only 10 million baht in initial funds. Yesterday, it called a meeting of 14 airlines, state agencies and the private sector to discuss measures to help foreign visitors get home.

Airlines showing readiness to use U-tapao include Lufthansa, EVA Air, Scandinavian, and Canadian airlines.

About 2,000 buses would take passengers to U-tapao, a trip of about three hours. U-tapao will also be for incoming flights from abroad. Stranded Thai travellers should contact their local Thai embassy or Thai Airways agent.

They can also fly to Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and from there to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi.

Thai Travel Agents Association president Charoen Wangananont said the association is checking how many Thai travellers are stranded overseas. The Foreign Affairs, and Tourism and Sport ministries will help Thais stranded overseas by offering accommodation and meals until the airports reopen.

Wirote Sitaprasertnand, president of the Professional Tourists Guide Association, said some Thai travellers left in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, China, and Laos are arriving by land.

Some Thai travellers on long-haul routes have taken flights to neighbouring countries and then caught flights to Chiang Mai or Phuket.

He said tour agents are facing problems as airlines from China refuse to give refunds. "They say it's not their mistake, but Thailand's problem. Now operators are negotiating to postpone flights instead of cancelling," he said.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-11-29

[Thailand]

I expect PAD will reimburse all of those out of pocket.

[Jai Dee]

China sends 5 planes to fly home stranded passengers in Thailand

Chinese aviation authority said here Saturday that four of the country's airlines would operate five flights to Thailand to bring home stranded Chinese tourists there due to the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airportin Bangkok.

Li Jiaxiang, chief of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), told Xinhua that the first flight, an Airbus-300 plane from the Shanghai-based China Eastern, was scheduled to leave Shanghai for Thailand at noon.

Two Boeing 777 aircraft from the Beijing-based Air China, another Boeing 777 from the Guangzhou-based China Southern and a Boeing 767 plane from the Shanghai Airlines would leave one after another for Thailand's Utapao Airport near Pattaya, about 150 km east of Bangkok, said Li.

Earlier on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a press release that China would arrange flights to bring back Chinese passengers stranded in Bangkok.

"In view of the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, the Chinese government has switched on its emergency response mechanism and is preparing to send chartered planes to bring back Chinese citizens as soon as possible," he said.

"The Chinese government is now checking out the information about the stranded Chinese citizens and arranging an airport for the landing of the planes."

Many foreigners are stranded in Bangkok after anti-government protesters in Thailand laid siege to the country's main international airport.

Chen Dehai, counsellor of the Chinese embassy in Thailand, told Xinhua on Friday that at least 600 Chinese tourists, who held tickets of the four Chinese airlines, were stranded in Thailand due to the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Chen admitted it was difficult to give an exact number of the stranded Chinese citizens. But according to an estimate by the Thai-Chinese tourism association in Bangkok, about 2,000 to 3,000 tourists from the Chinese mainland had been stranded in Thailand.

In addition, there was an unknown number of Chinese tourists from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan stranded in Thailand.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government had arranged two Cathay Pacific flights to help stranded passengers and the first flight had already brought back some 500 Hong Kong residents from Thailand on Friday night.

The HKSAR government also said a second such flight was expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Saturday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Aussies in Thailand to get help: Rudd

Diplomats are working hard to support Australians stranded in Thailand as demonstrators blockade Bangkok's main international airport, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says.

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy have also blocked access to another airport at the smaller domestic hub of Don Mueang.

Mr Rudd said the government, in cooperation with airlines, had started "a lot of work" to get Australians out of Thailand.

But, the task was difficult because of the blockages at both airports.

"There is a massive consular effort currently underway by the Australian government to support a very large number of Australians left stranded by these events," he told reporters in Canberra on Saturday.

Source: NineMSN - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Canadians trapped in Thai hotel

The Canadian Embassy in Thailand has told 82 Canadians stuck in a hotel in Bangkok that the Canadian government will not send a plane to get them out of the country, a Manitoba woman said from Bangkok on Friday night.

"We met with the people from the Canadian Embassy. They were very concerned, but they can't do anything for us," said Judith Tougher of LaSalle, a bedroom community of Winnipeg.

"There were tanks in the streets two days ago. We feel the situation is escalating."

Tougher said their tour group includes 82 Canadians but there are about 2,000 Canadians among tens of thousands of foreign tourists caught up in a budding revolution in the Thai capital of Bangkok.

They were to fly out Wednesday, but the airport has been held by protesters since Tuesday, and there is no end in sight to the turmoil, Tougher said.

"We've got some seniors who aren't doing very well," she said. "We're starting to look at options."

Tougher, 68, said that they've been told that leaving by ship is not an option, but one man left the hotel to try to get to Cambodia by road, and the tourists are looking for the nearest operating airport that they might reach by bus.

She said there are rumours that the Turkish government flew 200 of its citizens out of Bangkok this week from a military airport, and she wonders why the Canadian government can't do the same.

"All we want to do is let Canada know that there are Canadians here who want the Canadian government to help them," she said. "Someone please do something."

Tougher, who was vacationing with her partner Michael Richard, said the couple is spending time in their room, by the hotel pool, or on short walks near the hotel.

"I spoke to a Foreign Affairs official (Friday morning) and they said that they're not planning any help for the Canadians trapped there because there are other airports in the country that they can use," said her daughter Shannon Bowden from Winnipeg.

"They said it was up to the individuals or their tour group to make arrangements to get to a provincial airport."

The protest group, the People's Alliance for Democracy, has vowed to topple the government, believing it's too closely tied to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a bloodless military coup in September 2006 and is now in exile.

The current prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, is Thaksin's brother-in-law. The protesters, who overran the prime minister's office three months ago, believe Somchai is Thaksin's puppet.

Somchai has backed down from earlier threats to clear the airport protesters by force and is now pledging to use peaceful means to end the siege.

But the likelihood of a violent confrontation still appears high as both protesters and police reinforced their presence at the international airport.

Bowden said her mother had left on a Southeast Asian cruise at the end of October. The final stop of the tour was Bangkok, where Bowden and several hundred other Canadians arrived on Nov. 23.

Foreign Affairs spokesman Daniel Barbarie said the trapped Canadian tourists should keep in touch with their tour operators on when they can leave the troubled country.

Barbarie said the Canadians have been warned to stay away from the Bangkok airports and other locations where protests are taking place.

Included in the tour group are former Brandon, Man., city councillor Don Kille and his wife, Becki, as well as eight other Brandon residents.

"We are not in any danger," Kille wrote in an e-mail to the Brandon Sun, explaining that the tourists are staying close to their hotel and away from the airport.

"We feel very frustrated, though, that we are in the middle of what is a Thai conflict," Kille wrote.

"We are really looking forward to getting home to Brandon . . . There is no place like home."

Source: Dose.ca - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Airline, embassy aid travelers stranded in Thailand

Vietnam Airlines and the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok have set up hotlines to help Vietnamese citizens stuck in Thailand.

Vietnamese citizens can call the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok at +66 8181 44403, Vietnam Airlines at +66 2655 4137/38/39/40 or Vietnam Airlines’ representative in Bangkok at +66 8182 91616 .

Vietnam Airlines will send an Airbus A321 plane from Hanoi today to retrieve passengers from Utapao Airport, some 190 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. Flight VN8302 will take off from Utapao Airport at 9:05 p.m. and will arrive in Hanoi about an hour and three quarters later.

The airline will send another Airbus 321 to retrieve travelers who managed to get from Thailand to the Lao capital of Vientiane by road. Flight VN840 from Vientiane to Hanoi will operate today and tomorrow.

Some 400 Vietnamese nationals, mostly tourists, are believed to be stranded in Bangkok after antigovernment protesters took control of the city’s two main airports.

Source: Thahnmien News - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Sri Lanka Mission in Bangkok sets up an Emergency Coordinating Desk

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok has set up an emergency help desk to assist stranded Sri Lankans in Thailand as a result of the closure of two airports in Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi airport, the main international airport and Bangkok's main domestic airport, Don Muang, have been closed due to the escalation of anti-government protests.

The Sri Lankan Mission in Bangkok has informed that the Emergency Coordinating Desk will operate daily including weekends from 0800 to 2200 hours and will remain open until the situation returns to normalcy.

The Emergency Coordinating Desk of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok can be reached on telephone number 00-66-2-2611935.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Colombo - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Over 40 Pakistanis stuck at Bangkok airport

As many as 40 Pakistani passengers, bound to Bangkok from Lahore, have been stuck for 2 days at Bangkok airport, reports Geo.

A Pakistani passenger Agha khan said at Bangkok airport that he was among more than 40 passengers from Lahore who landed here on Wednesday via Thai-Airways and added that they were to go other countries after transit clearance however, due to ongoing protest at airport, we have not been released to go to our destinations yet.

He said, crowds of protesters pushed passed police barricades and streamed into Thailand's international airport Friday, as the east Asian country's prime minister promised to use peaceful means to end the siege.

He appealed the government of Pakistan to take swift action by sending special aircraft to take out Pakistani passengers from here.

Source: Pakistan Times - 29 November 2008

[Jai Dee]

Ministry of Tourism and Sports to open registration point for stranded passengers

Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat (วีรศักดิ์ โควสุรัตน์) reports that the ministry is finding a place to be used as registration point for stranded passengers affected by the airport seizure by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The minister inspected Centara Grand Hotel at Central World which might be used as registration point for the passengers before they are taken to U-tapao Airport in Rayong to board their flight. However, the minister said the hotel is too small for the registration as there are more than 30,000 stranded passengers each day and larger places like BITEC and Muang Thong Thani might be used as registration point

Mr Weerasak added that other hotels including Asia and Ramada Plaza Riverside and JW Marriott, have offered to provide free registration services for the passengers. The minister affirmed the registration point will open as soon as possible.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 29 November 2008

[Tonycheston]

Ministry of Tourism and Sports to open registration point for stranded passengers

Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat (วีรศักดิ์ โควสุรัตน์) reports that the ministry is finding a place to be used as registration point for stranded passengers affected by the airport seizure by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The minister inspected Centara Grand Hotel at Central World which might be used as registration point for the passengers before they are taken to U-tapao Airport in Rayong to board their flight. However, the minister said the hotel is too small for the registration as there are more than 30,000 stranded passengers each day and larger places like BITEC and Muang Thong Thani might be used as registration point

Mr Weerasak added that other hotels including Asia and Ramada Plaza Riverside and JW Marriott, have offered to provide free registration services for the passengers. The minister affirmed the registration point will open as soon as possible.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 29 November 2008

from tomorrow I will be another of those stranded people.

Maybe an online registration would be an idea?

[george]

Tension in Bangkok

Thai authorities, associations swing into action

BANGKOK: -- Despite Thai premier Somchai Wongsawat's declaration of emergency rule at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport last night, there is no sign that protestors will clear - or be cleared - from the two airports.

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) has announced Suvarnabhumi Airport will be closed until 18.00 of November 29 while Don Muang Airport will be closed until 18.00 today. However, at press time, there is no indication the two airports will re-open after these times and dates.

Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) president, Mr Kongkrit Hiranyakit, said: "Each day Suvarnabhumi Airport remains closed the country's tourism industry suffers a loss of two billion baht (US$56.60 million).

"Even if the airport re-opens today, the tourism industry will continue to suffer the losses. Arrivals from November to February, a period when the country should (normally) welcome more than one million tourists per month, will inevitably drop by half. Expected revenue for these four months, totalling around 220 billion baht, will be lost."

At the moment, Mr Kongkrit said the priorities were to "heal the wound" by providing assistance to affected tourists. He said the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) had allocated a fund of 20 million baht, providing each affected tourists with a 2,000 baht daily expenses for accommodation and meals.

Travel agents and hotels are to advance the daily expenses to tourists, and to keep the receipts and travelling information of each tourist to back the claim with MoTS through TCT.

MoTS, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), TCT, Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Thai Hotels Association (THA) currently host stranded passengers at Regent Suvaranabhumi Hotel, Twin Towers Hotel, Ibis Hotel, Eastin Hotel, The Centric Ratchada and Ambassador Bangkok.

TAT, THA, ATTA, AoT and Thai Airways International has a crisis networking centre on the fourth floor of the departure terminal in Suvarnabhumi Airport to facilitate stranded tourists.

Mr Kongkrit said immediate action was also needed to bring back about 10,000 stranded Thai passengers overseas. TCT has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to best facilitate Thais stranded overseas while working to discuss with related bodies solutions for bringing them back to Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thai authorities are allowing airlines to use regional airports such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Krabi and Hat Yai to facilitate affected passengers.

Thai Royal Navy's U-Tapao Airport in Chonburi, about three hours by car to Bangkok and 45 minutes to Pattaya, has by far been used by a handful of Thai and international carriers.

Thai and international carriers are constantly updating passengers on their flight schedules.

At press time, a number of tour operators told TTG Daily News existing bookings were still holding. One tour operator said the company even received a new booking yesterday, reiterating that tourists still want to visit Thailand.

TTG Daily News also understands that the German government has ordered tour operators to fly all Germans back via charter flights by Monday. The first flight took off this afternoon.

-- TTG 2008-11-29

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Ministry of Tourism and Sports to open registration point for stranded passengers

Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat (วีรศักดิ์ โควสุรัตน์) reports that the ministry is finding a place to be used as registration point for stranded passengers affected by the airport seizure by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The minister inspected Centara Grand Hotel at Central World which might be used as registration point for the passengers before they are taken to U-tapao Airport in Rayong to board their flight. However, the minister said the hotel is too small for the registration as there are more than 30,000 stranded passengers each day and larger places like BITEC and Muang Thong Thani might be used as registration point

Mr Weerasak added that other hotels including Asia and Ramada Plaza Riverside and JW Marriott, have offered to provide free registration services for the passengers. The minister affirmed the registration point will open as soon as possible.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 29 November 2008

from tomorrow I will be another of those stranded people.

Maybe an online registration would be an idea?

I'm confused. How can there be 30,000 more stranded passengers in BKK each day when there are no incoming flights???????

Edited November 29, 2008 by BEENTHEREDONETHAT

[sbk]

Surely you must realize that there were people here already who planned on leaving in the next days? Not everyone who was planning on leaving are recently arrived...

[george]

Stranded passengers get refund, waiver, re-booking priority

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's International Air Ticket Agency Association (ITA) has also provided an update on how its members, the International Air Transportation Association, Amadeus and more than 20 airlines are providing help to affected passengers.

Affected passengers demanding ticket refunds will be facilitated by ticketing agencies through the reservation system's auto refund.

Airlines will waive refund fees, as well as charges for re-booking, re-routing and re-scheduling.

Affected passengers can choose to travel into or out of airports that airlines operate in the vicinity of Bangkok, including Chiang Mai, Phuket, Singapore or Ho Chi Minh City. While re-routing charges will be waived, passengers must be responsible for the expenses to reach those airports.

Once the airports re-open and flights resume, affected passengers will be given priority re-booking the first available flights.

-- TTG 2008-11-29

[TopDogger]

Ministry of Tourism and Sports to open registration point for stranded passengers

Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat (วีรศักดิ์ โควสุรัตน์) reports that the ministry is finding a place to be used as registration point for stranded passengers affected by the airport seizure by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The minister inspected Centara Grand Hotel at Central World which might be used as registration point for the passengers before they are taken to U-tapao Airport in Rayong to board their flight. However, the minister said the hotel is too small for the registration as there are more than 30,000 stranded passengers each day and larger places like BITEC and Muang Thong Thani might be used as registration point

Mr Weerasak added that other hotels including Asia and Ramada Plaza Riverside and JW Marriott, have offered to provide free registration services for the passengers. The minister affirmed the registration point will open as soon as possible.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 29 November 2008

from tomorrow I will be another of those stranded people.

Maybe an online registration would be an idea?

I'm confused. How can there be 30,000 more stranded passengers in BKK each day when there are no incoming flights???????

Because 30'000 people are supposed to fly home every day....

[esprit]

Wether it is 30000, 100000 or more it must be the opportunity of a lifetime for those lucky folk who have had the benefit of not having to go home and thus have further delights from Thai hospitality. They can also thank their lucky stars that they have made a positive contribution to reducing green house gasses by those planes not flying. It is possibly a debt of gratitude that they will be unable to repay for the rest of their lifetimes.

[travelgirl67]

How totally typical of the cheap and passive agressive canadian government

Candians can be so spineless

[benjamat]

Wether it is 30000, 100000 or more it must be the opportunity of a lifetime for those lucky folk who have had the benefit of not having to go home and thus have further delights from Thai hospitality. They can also thank their lucky stars that they have made a positive contribution to reducing green house gasses by those planes not flying. It is possibly a debt of gratitude that they will be unable to repay for the rest of their lifetimes.

Typical inane brainless comment.

I hope you get stranded somewhere and have to spend days in an airport.

[george]

One million to be unemployed from Suvarnabhumi closure

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister for economics Olarn Chaipravat said the government may have to pay about one billion baht to about 500,000 stranded Thais and foreigners at Suvarnabhumi airport, or about 2,000 baht per person a day.

Because Suvarnabhumi airport was under siege by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), more unemployment in the tourism sector would arise because the number of tourist arrivals next year would plunge, according to Mr Olarn.

The deputy premier said the initial forecast estimated 13.5 million tourists would travel to Thailand in 2009, but the figure would definitely drop due to the current political situation.

As a result, about one million people working in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses could be laid off next year, Mr Olarn said.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-11-29

[esprit]

Wether it is 30000, 100000 or more it must be the opportunity of a lifetime for those lucky folk who have had the benefit of not having to go home and thus have further delights from Thai hospitality. They can also thank their lucky stars that they have made a positive contribution to reducing green house gasses by those planes not flying. It is possibly a debt of gratitude that they will be unable to repay for the rest of their lifetimes.

Typical inane brainless comment.

I hope you get stranded somewhere and have to spend days in an airport.

Good to see that you have identified yourself truly as a non-environmentalist. For anyone to consider that environmental savings is a "brainless comment" then truly you must be an extremely selfish person with no sincere consideration for the health of your children, assumimg that is you are old enough to legally have a family, that I question with due reference to your comment. I expect you enjoy Fox hunting and Bear baiting also ?

Edited November 29, 2008 by esprit

[dumball]

How totally typical of the cheap and passive agressive canadian government

Candians can be so spineless

How can one be passive and agressive at the same time ?

What part of the world do Candians live ?

By spineless , do you mean pathetic ?

It is the responsibility of the airlines to get stranded tourists to their destinations , why should the public at large have to fork out hard earned tax money , as much as i feel sorry for them .Should you think it possible for the Canadian Government to repatriate them , why then cannot the airlines use the same methods ?

Thailand allowed this pathetic situation to arise , it is their responsibility to solve it and at the same save themselves one heck of a lot of FACE , something they seem to feel so proud of , but then , pride cometh before a fall .

[george]

Ministers assist Thais, foreigners affected by airport closure

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's government arranged six hotels as check-in points to facilitate foreign tourists stranded in the kingdom after both airports were forced to close by anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters wanting to topple the government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sompong Amornvivat, Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat, and Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat briefed the press at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give updated information on measures to help tourists and Thai travellers affected by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

Mr. Weerasak said the government is committed to assisting foreign tourists to return to their home countries as well as bringing the Thai nationals home. He said the domestic assistance of the foreign tourists is progressing.

The government has evacuated tourists from the airports to the hotels and has now moved to the next phase of sending the tourists back to their home countries.

City terminals will be established in designated hotels in Bangkok for tourists the metropolitan area as check-in points to facilitate foreign tourists before transporting them to the airports.

The city terminals will be located in the Centara Grand, Maenam Riverside, JW Marriott, Asia, Imperial Queen's Park, and Holiday Inn hotels.

BITEC Exhibition & Convention Center in Bangna was the latest agency to offer its facilities as a check-in point.

All seven sites offered the services without any charge, he said.

Prior to the announcement, tourists outside Bangkok are advised to remain where they are to avoid clustering in the capital and also in case of regional airports being arranged for their outbound flights.

Mr. Sompong said that in assisting Thai nationals abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate through the embassies and consulates.

Mr. Weerasak said the government plans to reimburse foreign tourists and Thai nationals 2,000 baht per diem to subsidise their financial burden.

Meanwhile, Mr. Olarn stated that a budget of at least one billion baht will be needed to tackle the problem.

He estimated that the damage caused by the airport closure that the number of tourists next year is expected to drop by half in comparison to this year, leaving 6-7 million foreigners traveling to Thailand.

One million jobs in the tourism-related industry are likely to be affected, unless the government undertakes appropriate counter measures. --

-- TNA 2008-11-29

[taxexile]

are any flights arriving at u-tapau airport , or is it only being used for departures.

i have some visitors coming from the uk next week , eva website says that they will arrive at u-tapau , but the booking agents over there have said that all eva lhr-bkk flights have been cancelled until at least monday , a decision on flights after monday will be made on monday.

[Gravelrash]

One million to be unemployed from Suvarnabhumi closure

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister for economics Olarn Chaipravat said the government may have to pay about one billion baht to about 500,000 stranded Thais and foreigners at Suvarnabhumi airport, or about 2,000 baht per person a day.

Because Suvarnabhumi airport was under siege by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), more unemployment in the tourism sector would arise because the number of tourist arrivals next year would plunge, according to Mr Olarn.

The deputy premier said the initial forecast estimated 13.5 million tourists would travel to Thailand in 2009, but the figure would definitely drop due to the current political situation.

As a result, about one million people working in hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses could be laid off next year, Mr Olarn said.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-11-29

And as the unemployment lines grow they can take heart that the PAD leaders said it was all necessary, mind you those said leaders wont be begging on the streets of course.

Maybe they will get some words of comfort from the pro-PAD delegation here, come on boys dig into your pockets to help these people in the land of zero unemployment benefits...any takers?

[sbk]

are any flights arriving at u-tapau airport , or is it only being used for departures.

i have some visitors coming from the uk next week , eva website says that they will arrive at u-tapau , but the booking agents over there have said that all eva lhr-bkk flights have been cancelled until at least monday , a decision on flights after monday will be made on monday.

Flights are arriving tax, a friend of mine arrived on Eva from the US earlier today

[taxexile]

thanks sbk

[cmsally]

are any flights arriving at u-tapau airport , or is it only being used for departures.

i have some visitors coming from the uk next week , eva website says that they will arrive at u-tapau , but the booking agents over there have said that all eva lhr-bkk flights have been cancelled until at least monday , a decision on flights after monday will be made on monday.

I had some visitors coming Eva Air LHR-BKK on Dec 1. They have been told by their travel agent, flights cancelled.