Suvarnabhumi Siege Ends, Airport To Open Friday

[Exenray]

The airport may open but how many of the airlines are going to want to fly into a airport under the threat of being closed down again?

Regarding your quote:

It will not be closed again, PAD will disband just like they did after Thaksin was ousted out. They don't seek governing power, they seek to take out the corrupt people in power, and more importantly, to protect our King.

For the rest:

A lot of you seem to always have a negative opinion for each actions done by these people but you all fail to take a step back and look at the situation as a whole. This is more than a decade old issue going on... For crying out loud, study your facts and look at the long term benefit for this country, not just how it will affect you and your holiday... As if you westerners never had civil wars or public disobedience... Do a research on your history and stop being hypocrites!

[ozfarang81]

Airports of Thailand Plc Acting President Serirat Prasutanond said Wednesday commercial flights may be resumed at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport at noon on Friday although it will take at least a week before the airport could resume full operations.

He said all the systems would have to be checked before the airport could resume the full operations.

The checking would be completed in one week at the soonest or would take no more than two weeks, he said.

So flights are arriving and departing within 48 hours PRIOR to safety checks on all air traffic control and a whole host of other systems being completed?

Good luck to anyone flying in or out prior to safety being fully evaluated.

This is a dilapidated and rusting Siam City Park waterslide ready to collapse with loads of children on it.... except on a much larger scale.

Have you had experience in operating an airport before? Do you know the extent of damage to the airport personally, to all systems? The AOT chief says there is virtually no damage. And the 'control tower' takeover, I only ever saw the details in the report of a number of PAD members being escorted into the tower by Air Traffic Controllers as they wanted to see if there was a 'flight plan' or similar for Somchai's plane to land that day. They then all left shortly afterwards. There was never any talk of them tampering with computer systems. Most of the en route ATC is done elsewhere, and other flights in and out of the country have been receiving normal air traffic control the whole time. The role of the tower is mostly done with human eyes, for visual separation. Most of the radar control is done in separate rooms. People who have little idea of ATC systems and airport operations should avoid giving their opinions on whether they think an airport is safe or not.

Remember, the media tend to sensationalize their headlines, so 'AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER TAKEOVER' sounded great as a headline, but in reality it was hardly a takeover at all. I completely disagree with what the PAD did, but they are leaving the place in a pretty good condition and even mopping the floors as they go.

AOT have also said that if systems are not ready for departing passengers they will do checkin procedures at BITEC and bus people to the aircraft at Suva, inbound flights passengers will already have been screened at the departure point. So they havent said they are going to just operate the airport as normal prior to doing the appropriate checks.

This same AOT chief, when the airport was under PAD control, repeatedly stated it takes up to 2 weeks to thoroughly check all systems. Now all of a sudden, everything is hunky dory... and a superficial going over is sufficient.

I'm just recalling his own words as the basis for my post and not proffering any of my own speculations as to what specifically was damaged or not or how much inside knowledge of the specific inner workings of air control. Additionally, there are many, many systems other than air traffic control that have an impact on the safety of flights.

All that, coupled with the dozens of bus crashes, train wrecks, etc. etc. AND waterslide collapses that make up so many News Clippings Forum threads. The abysmal historical record of safety in Thailand speaks for itself. Even the original opening of this airport was rushed and hurried through with only a cursory look at safety issues.... luckily they were no catastrophes then... will they be similarly lucky this time out of the shoot? I hope so... but I also won't be surprised if there are.

In your own words, UP TO two weeks which was depending on the way the airport was left.

and as his amplifying words REPEATED again today in the above quote... "at least a week"

of course, it's up to the individual traveler to trust whether or not a complete and thorough check and clearance is done of all systems within 48 hours... as these people in control are all fully trustworthy when the issue of public safety is raised.

In reports since the PAD announced they are leaving:

Officials had earlier said the airport would not reopen for commercial flights before December 15, but Mr Vudhibhandhu said he brought forward the date because an inspection revealed the airport had suffered no damage and could become operational more quickly.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24745250-23109,00.html

Its senseless arguing the point, AOT obviously have a lot more experience in airport operations than you or I, and I will be one of the ones to trust them if they say it is safe to use the airport again.

[MyphuketLife]

The airport may open but how many of the airlines are going to want to fly into a airport under the threat of being closed down again?

Regarding your quote:

It will not be closed again, PAD will disband just like they did after Thaksin was ousted out. They don't seek governing power, they seek to take out the corrupt people in power, and more importantly, to protect our King.

For the rest:

A lot of you seem to always have a negative opinion for each actions done by these people but you all fail to take a step back and look at the situation as a whole. This is more than a decade old issue going on... For crying out loud, study your facts and look at the long term benefit for this country, not just how it will affect you and your holiday... As if you westerners never had civil wars or public disobedience... Do a research on your history and stop being hypocrites!

If your country is in "civil war" then tell TAT to stop advertising vacation travel.... You can't have it both ways you can't tourists money, then shut down their means to get out of the country all while saying "stop complaining"..... How about stop inviting tourists.

[ovenman]

Have you had experience in operating an airport before?

I know nothing about what needs to be done to safely reopen the airport. I must rely solely on the knowledge of the experts. Yesterday morning, the AOT issued a statement claiming that Suvarnabhumi would not reopen before 15 December pending relevant safety checks, then later in the day the same AOT is claiming that it can be opened by the 5th, a difference of ten days. Both claims, issued mere hours apart, cannot be simultaneously true which doesn't speak well for the credibility of those involved who should be in-the-know.

[old wanderer]

and as his amplifying words REPEATED again today in the above quote... "at least a week"

of course, it's up to the individual traveler to trust whether or not a complete and thorough check and clearance is done of all systems within 48 hours... as these people in control are all fully trustworthy when the issue of public safety is raised.

You know I love the howl of ignorant voices......and those taking things our of context.

Let the actions speak for them selves.....

1. The tower and freight operations are in full operation at this time.

2. Passenger operations will start tomorrow mid day. (Allow time to recall all employees)

3. The airport will be back a normal capacity within a week...due to getting the flight schedules back in sync. through out the world.

Almost none of this have to do with airport systems.

Airport systems....we need to bring back a few luggage scanners that were moved to Utopo, Immigration computers need to be re-booted, the air traffic control is in operation....the duty free will want to do a stock check. Absolutly nothing that will take more than a few hours at the most...

I know all you newbies that have flooded the board with your "expertise" and anti PAD rhetorical BS. love to burn up bandwith, but all you are is a lot of noise.....The facts will be in the actions.

[george]

Update:

Siege ends: Protesters withdraw from Bangkok airports

BANGKOK: -- The anti-government protesters on Wednesday morning withdrew from both Bangkok main airports, clearing the way for resumption of passenger service Thursday.

The Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which occupied Suvarnabhumi Airport eight days ago, and Don Mueang one day later, have withdrawn, proclaiming victory in their successful quest to remove now former prime minister Somchai Wangsawat from office.

The flow of PAD protesters departing the Thai capital's two airports have been replaced by an army of technical staff, cleaners and maintenance workers to bring the facility back into service.

Mr. Serirat Prasutanont, Suvarnabhumi Airport director, said the first six flights to take off from Suvarnabhumi airport will be Thai Airways International (THAI) services departing to Sydney, Delhi, Narita, Frankfurt, Seoul and Copenhagen, he said.

Domestic flights were expected to start this afternoon, he said, adding that the first flight would be Phuket to Suvarnabhumi.

Cargo flights from Suvarnabhumi resumed December 2.

The government earlier assured all 200,000 stranded passengers could board flights to their destinations within 10 days.

Many nations sent emergency flights to evacuate their nationals through U-Tapao naval airport and from provincial airports.

Meanwhile, Don Mueang airport director acting Flying Officer Anirut Thanomkulbutra said after the situation returned to normal, the airport would discuss with the agencies concerned to resume its services as soon as possible.

-- TNA 2008-12-03

[sriracha john]

Airports of Thailand Plc Acting President Serirat Prasutanond said Wednesday commercial flights may be resumed at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport at noon on Friday although it will take at least a week before the airport could resume full operations.

He said all the systems would have to be checked before the airport could resume the full operations.

The checking would be completed in one week at the soonest or would take no more than two weeks, he said.

So flights are arriving and departing within 48 hours PRIOR to safety checks on all air traffic control and a whole host of other systems being completed?

Good luck to anyone flying in or out prior to safety being fully evaluated.

This is a dilapidated and rusting Siam City Park waterslide ready to collapse with loads of children on it.... except on a much larger scale.

Have you had experience in operating an airport before? Do you know the extent of damage to the airport personally, to all systems? The AOT chief says there is virtually no damage. And the 'control tower' takeover, I only ever saw the details in the report of a number of PAD members being escorted into the tower by Air Traffic Controllers as they wanted to see if there was a 'flight plan' or similar for Somchai's plane to land that day. They then all left shortly afterwards. There was never any talk of them tampering with computer systems. Most of the en route ATC is done elsewhere, and other flights in and out of the country have been receiving normal air traffic control the whole time. The role of the tower is mostly done with human eyes, for visual separation. Most of the radar control is done in separate rooms. People who have little idea of ATC systems and airport operations should avoid giving their opinions on whether they think an airport is safe or not.

Remember, the media tend to sensationalize their headlines, so 'AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER TAKEOVER' sounded great as a headline, but in reality it was hardly a takeover at all. I completely disagree with what the PAD did, but they are leaving the place in a pretty good condition and even mopping the floors as they go.

AOT have also said that if systems are not ready for departing passengers they will do checkin procedures at BITEC and bus people to the aircraft at Suva, inbound flights passengers will already have been screened at the departure point. So they havent said they are going to just operate the airport as normal prior to doing the appropriate checks.

This same AOT chief, when the airport was under PAD control, repeatedly stated it takes up to 2 weeks to thoroughly check all systems. Now all of a sudden, everything is hunky dory... and a superficial going over is sufficient.

I'm just recalling his own words as the basis for my post and not proffering any of my own speculations as to what specifically was damaged or not or how much inside knowledge of the specific inner workings of air control. Additionally, there are many, many systems other than air traffic control that have an impact on the safety of flights.

All that, coupled with the dozens of bus crashes, train wrecks, etc. etc. AND waterslide collapses that make up so many News Clippings Forum threads. The abysmal historical record of safety in Thailand speaks for itself. Even the original opening of this airport was rushed and hurried through with only a cursory look at safety issues.... luckily they were no catastrophes then... will they be similarly lucky this time out of the shoot? I hope so... but I also won't be surprised if there are.

In your own words, UP TO two weeks which was depending on the way the airport was left.

and as his amplifying words REPEATED again today in the above quote... "at least a week"

of course, it's up to the individual traveler to trust whether or not a complete and thorough check and clearance is done of all systems within 48 hours... as these people in control are all fully trustworthy when the issue of public safety is raised.

In reports since the PAD announced they are leaving:

Officials had earlier said the airport would not reopen for commercial flights before December 15, but Mr Vudhibhandhu said he brought forward the date because an inspection revealed the airport had suffered no damage and could become operational more quickly.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24745250-23109,00.html

Its senseless arguing the point, AOT obviously have a lot more experience in airport operations than you or I, and I will be one of the ones to trust them if they say it is safe to use the airport again.

Good luck... I'll wait.

I wouldn't trust him any further than I could throw him... as a search of him raises more than a few questions, eg.

Relocation of security screening points likely

A plan to relocate the security screening points at Suvarnabhumi airport to free up space for commercial development has come under fire for going against the principle of building an airport. Security screening spots in the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi airport will be moved away from the embarkation gates into an area in front of the immigration checkpoints in October to pave the way for commercial development, according to Airport Director Serirat Prasutanont.

[old wanderer]

BTW, to resume normal operations for passenger traffic, the airport must be certified.

Love these pseudo neubie experts:::

The certification is mainly done concerning the approach/departure/airport lighting...There is absolutely no difference in this certification between freight and passenger operations.

The Freight operations are currently in operation.

Lastly, who de-certified the airport??

I speak as a person with over 40 years of experience in civil aviation throughout the world.

Care to math qualifications.???

[globalmenace]

"The government earlier assured all 200,000 stranded passengers could board flights to their destinations within 10 days."

Whew...now that's an assurance you can depend on. Everyone can can breath a sigh of relief...

[bartender100]

Just had an email from BA, my flight was provisionally booked for the 5th, now the 9th December, so they must know something

[baht&sold]

Many Aussies keen to holiday in Thailand

Sydney Morning Herald Dec 3 2008

Many Australians are refusing to give up their holidays in Thailand despite the recent political unrest.

Jetstar airline has had to divert flights from Bangkok to Phuket because anti-government protesters had blockaded Bangkok's two main airports.

Passengers are still keen to get on with their holidays though, despite the gruelling 12-hour bus ride to Bangkok once they land in Phuket.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Aussies are pouring out of Thailand for the safer shores of Australia after being stranded in Bangkok during the recent upheaval.

Jetstar has not had a lot of cancellations, according to commercial boss Unni Menon, but many passengers had been in contact with the airline.

Some had flights refunded, while others had chosen to go to another international destination or were determined to push on with their holiday.

"The vast majority of people still want to go," Mr Menon told AAP.

"They have booked and they have saved for a period of time in order to have this special holiday.

"It will all fundamentally come down to personal choice."

But one passenger who is not keen to return is Leisa Chaisty, 25, who was one of hundreds who flew into Australia on Tuesday morning after a three-week holiday in Thailand.

"There was heaps of Aussies over there," Ms Chaisty said in the arrival lounge at Brisbane airport on Wednesday.

"I'm not going back.

"It was very disorganised and chaotic and it's nice to be home.

"It's the first time overseas for me - I don't think I'll go overseas again."

Mr Menon said it was important that the airline should remain flexible with passengers during the time of unrest in Thailand.

Although Bangkok airport was expected to reopen on Thursday, Jetstar was playing it safe and wouldn't resume its normal flight schedule of three a week from Melbourne to Bangkok until Sunday.

"It'll be a phased reintroduction of our services as normal and watching as we go along," he said.

Edited December 3, 2008 by baht&sold

[magisterludi]

Does anyone know if Thai Airways has programmed flights on Saturday December 6th from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (or even Utapao)? I can't manage to get any operators to ask and I've now managed to get all the way to Chiang Mai...

Thanks

Edit: Managed to book all the way to Chiang Mai...still not in Chiang Mai though

Edited December 3, 2008 by magisterludi

[topdogdk]

The damage has been done though. Today, despite the ending of the siege etc etc, the Australian Government has advised its citizens to "RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL" to Thailand.

Upto today, the warning was just for Bangkok, but now it's been updated to include the WHOLE COUNTRY!

More mass hotel cancellations coming......

I just read in the Swedish news that not many Swedes have canceled their trip to Thailand over Christmas. Maybe it won't be as bad after all...

Of course the swedes do not cancel their trips out here.

They have prepaid their tickets with no cancellation insurance.

[beerchang]

quote: Just had an email from BA, my flight was provisionally booked for the 5th, now the 9th December, so they must know something

I,ve had the same informing me of depature date 7th Dec... BUT, advised to phone BA on 6th to make sure.

[sriracha john]

the destruction of property - hear they have stolen the computer terminals from the airport as well - wonder what else went missing ????

If they're landing and taking off jets this afternoon, then I hope none of this equipment and computers were related in any way to the safety of airport operations.

Edited December 3, 2008 by sriracha john

[george]

Update 14:00 BKK time:

THAI resumes flights at Suvarnabhumi today Wednesday

Thai Airways International is flying six special flights from Suvarnabhumi on Wednesday, the first since the airport was shut down on November 25.

TG 9939 to Sydney, leaving at 5.25pm

TG 3159 to New Delhi, leaving at 7.50pm

TG 6409 to Narita, leaving at 10.35pm

TG 9209 to Frankfurt, leaving at 11.40pm

TG 6589 to Seoul, leaving at 11.45pm

TG 9509 to Copenhagen, leaving at 0.50am

-- The Nation 2008-12-03

[magisterludi]

Update 14:00 BKK time:

THAI resumes flights at Suvarnabhumi today Wednesday

Thai Airways International is flying six special flights from Suvarnabhumi on Wednesday, the first since the airport was shut down on November 25.

TG 9939 to Sydney, leaving at 5.25pm

TG 3159 to New Delhi, leaving at 7.50pm

TG 6409 to Narita, leaving at 10.35pm

TG 9209 to Frankfurt, leaving at 11.40pm

TG 6589 to Seoul, leaving at 11.45pm

TG 9509 to Copenhagen, leaving at 0.50am

-- The Nation 2008-12-03

This may be good news for the Chiang Mai to BKK flights!!! Still cannot contact Thai Airways though...

[bangkokrick]

The BBC have just reported that the year 2009 will be the worst on record comparable to the crash in 1997. The BOT will today drop interest rates to try to combat the forthcoming economic crisis.

Thailand will indeed pay for the actions of the PAD, but the PAD will escape scott free.

Cheers, Rick

[Jai Dee]

First Bangkokair flight lands at Suvarnabhumi today

Bangkok/ December 3rd, 2008 12.00 hrs. - Bangkok Airways' first operative flight will land at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16.20 hrs from Samui.

The flight will be operated by Airbus 319 as in the following details.

• PG 148 Samui-Bangkok dep: 15.15 - 16.20 hrs

• PG 171 Bangkok-Samui dep: 17.00 - 18.05 hrs

Passengers departing for Samui are requested to check in at Bangkok Airways' Head Office (99 Vibhavadirangsit Road) at 15.00 hrs where transfer will be arranged for all passengers.

Bangkok Airways is now in full gear to operate its normal schedules as soon as possible.

For more information, call 1771, or 0-2265-8777 or log on www.bangkokair.com

Source: The Nation - 03 December 2008

[magisterludi]

The BBC have just reported that the year 2009 will be the worst on record comparable to the crash in 1997. The BOT will today drop interest rates to try to combat the forthcoming economic crisis.

Thailand will indeed pay for the actions of the PAD, but the PAD will escape scott free.

Cheers, Rick

Yet the exchange rate still holds on...

[phuketrichard]

That a good thing but I imagine it will take certainly more than a week to reopen the passengers' traffic!

May be re-open for Xmas!

I hope the airport is up and running before the 12th ,my family and I are due to fly out from Chiang mai to uk via bangkok and I m so desperate to get home ,have not been back for 1 year and my brother is getting married , I need to go to a very important hospital appointment and all the family are coming to see us for our son s 4th birthday. I m not happy at all and all the airlines keep saying is the flights are not cancelled for that day but then I keep reading reports that the airport won t be up and running until at least the 15th . Anyone got any advice

IF I were YOU and i had to get somewhere and they have said it will not be fully operational till the 15th>>>> use your head and make alternative bookings and take the train to KL or sing and fly out.

If you paid the first ticket by cc claim a refund

I knw it will porbaly cost ya more but u said you HAVE to be somewhere.

No one knows what will happen in the next few days

[magisterludi]

First Bangkokair flight lands at Suvarnabhumi today

Bangkok/ December 3rd, 2008 12.00 hrs. - Bangkok Airways' first operative flight will land at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16.20 hrs from Samui.

The flight will be operated by Airbus 319 as in the following details.

• PG 148 Samui-Bangkok dep: 15.15 - 16.20 hrs

• PG 171 Bangkok-Samui dep: 17.00 - 18.05 hrs

Passengers departing for Samui are requested to check in at Bangkok Airways' Head Office (99 Vibhavadirangsit Road) at 15.00 hrs where transfer will be arranged for all passengers.

Bangkok Airways is now in full gear to operate its normal schedules as soon as possible.

For more information, call 1771, or 0-2265-8777 or log on www.bangkokair.com

Source: The Nation - 03 December 2008

Promising news

[bangkokrick]

The BBC have just reported that the year 2009 will be the worst on record comparable to the crash in 1997. The BOT will today drop interest rates to try to combat the forthcoming economic crisis.

Thailand will indeed pay for the actions of the PAD, but the PAD will escape scott free.

Cheers, Rick

Yet the exchange rate still holds on...

Yes. Who can explain that one surely it can not hang on much longer given the prospects as above?

Cheers, Rick

[bangkokrick]

The 1st passenger plane has landed at Swampy carrying 305 people from Phuket. So much for the earlier predictions.

BBC.

Cheers, Rick

[Giovanna]

good evening (well here is morning )

first of all i beg all of you to excuse me for my awful english and maybe for posting in the wrong discussion (this is my first post here)

I have just registered but i've been reading you the last week. I think the reason is quite obvious

I'm an italian girl and i have a flight to Bangkok the 9 of january (and the flight to come back to italy the 20 of february)

I don't feel safe at all at the moment (and I am very sorry for this situation in your beautiful country, i hope -not for me but for all the people in Thailand - that you will find soon a way out, but this seem very difficult at the moment) to come in your country.

I kwnow you don't have the answer to my question (to come or not) but what do you think is going to happen?

I really don't kwnow what to do. I can cancell my booking paying penalties of course but maybe is too soon to decide?

thank you all

giovanna

[CPH]

Does anyone know what happens to Air Mail. It was said that a lot of mail was stuck at the airport. I have some important mail to send abroad,

will it maybe be routed via Chiang Mai or other international airport.

[whitfield]

I am a Tour Operator specialisng in Golf Tours all over the world, including Thailand.

Our numbers for Thailand in January are down 40% on 2008. The decrease is in line with all the countries we operate in.

Not one of our clients has cancelled since the beginning of the airport seizures.

THis was due in no small part to my constant reassurances that it would all be over by 5th December. (Luckily for me I was proved correct).

Incoming Tourism to Thailand will fall hard in 2009 but almost none of it is attributable to the PAD, and almost all is due to the economic downturn.

THis is not to say that business will be unaffected. People making their holiday decisions about 2010 will remember and people deciding where to source their manufactured goods will also remember. Hard times await for the Thais.

THe UK tourist in recent years has proved remarkably resilient to world unrest, and it wouldn't surprise me if UK tourists were already booking their trips to Mumbai. We are after all a pretty stubborn race.

[MyphuketLife]

good evening (well here is morning )

first of all i beg all of you to excuse me for my awful english and maybe for posting in the wrong discussion (this is my first post here)

I have just registered but i've been reading you the last week. I think the reason is quite obvious

I'm an italian girl and i have a flight to Bangkok the 9 of january (and the flight to come back to italy the 20 of february)

I don't feel safe at all at the moment (and I am very sorry for this situation in your beautiful country, i hope -not for me but for all the people in Thailand - that you will find soon a way out, but this seem very difficult at the moment) to come in your country.

I kwnow you don't have the answer to my question (to come or not) but what do you think is going to happen?

I really don't kwnow what to do. I can cancell my booking paying penalties of course but maybe is too soon to decide?

thank you all

giovanna

its hard to say, you would be fairly safe.... The real question is when the new government comes into play will the protestors accept it or will they overtake the airports? That is still a big unknown....

[fudoshinanzan]

Yes! Finally some peace of mind. Was due to fly out on the 1st but am now confirmed for the 5th from U-Tapao. Only problem is that the stop in Doha (flying with Qatar) is 10 hours! Still, I'm so glad to know what's happening. Got to get to BITEC at 8am for the 3-something afternoon flight. Arriving at Heathrow around 11am on the 6th, so door to door it's going to be a 40 hour marathon, but I'll take it!

[taxin]

Just spoke to a good Thai friend of mine who holds a very high position in the airport. Flights will resume as normal in a matter of a couple of days, if not less. Bookings at the airport hotel have been barely affected.

If you lot choose to listen to all the doom mongers on here and cancel your flight, then you dont deserve a refund in my opinion ! Look at the headlines on the news "THE PAD HAVE LEFT THE AIRPORT !" What more do want to hear ? Its over !!

If you have a flight booked to Thailand then keep it, and consider yourself as one of the lucky ones !