Suvarnabhumi Airport Safe From Floods: Manager

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport safe from floods : manager

Suvarnabhumi International Airport is expected to stay dry during the worst floods in five decades that are now creeping towards the capital's centre, the airport's management said Friday.

"I am confident that we can keep Suvarnabhumi dry," said Somchai Sawasdeepon, acting general manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport, 20 kilometres east of the city centre, which has served as the main international airport for Bangkok since 2006.

The capital’s old airport, Don Mueang, 15 kilometres north of the centre, and now used only for some domestic flights, has been closed for weeks with its runway currently under a metre of water.

Bangkok’s north and north-east suburbs have been inundated by runoff from Thailand’s central plains which were flooded by the swollen Chao Phraya River last month.

The water is seeping through Bangkok en route to the Gulf of Thailand, with government authorities trying desperately to keep the inundation out of the centre of the capital by diverting the flow to the east and west of the metropolis.

"Our water management system at Suvarnabhumi is separate from Bangkok’s, so we can control it," Somchai said.

The airport is protected by 3.5-metre dyke surrounding the complex, which also includes a system of drainage canals and reservoirs with a storage capacity of 4 million cubic metres.

The reservoirs’ current level is 1 million cubic metres, Somchai said. The airport is connected to Bangkok by elevated roads and a train track.

Somchai said that passenger traffic at Suvarnabhumi Airport had increased 10 per cent in October, boosted mainly by a 14.5 per cent jump in domestic traffic as Bangkokians fled the city.

International passengers were up 3.5 per cent, but started to fall off in late October.

"After October 24, arrivals from some Asian markets such as China, Japan and India started to decline," Somchai said.

Thailand has set a target of 19 million tourist arrivals this year, but is now unlikely to achieve this as a result of the floods, which have claimed 437 lives over the past three months and caused billions of dollars in damage.

During the first nine months, some 14.4 million foreign tourists visited Thailand, up 27 per cent year-on-year, according to the Kasikorn Research Centre, a private think tank.

The kingdom’s tourism sector has been hard hit by a series of natural and man-made disasters over the past decade, including the 2003 SARS scare, the 2004 tsunami, the 2006 coup, followed by months of street protests in Bangkok in each of 2008, 2009 and 2010.

For a week in November-December 2008, Suvarnabhumi Airport was closed to all international flights after the so-called "yellow shirt" protesters seized the airport in their bid to force the government to resign.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

[webfact]

Tourists assured of travelling convenience

The Nation

The Tourism and Sports Ministry has come up with measures to facilitate foreign tourists' travelling to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

First, TAT and Thai Hotels Association should jointly check the number of tourists departing for the airport and provide transportation to Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station. State Railway of Thailand should be alerted, if train services are insufficiently provided.

Second, from the station, travellers should be escorted by police officers to the airport. Suvarnabhumi police should be alerted for the fast-track service.

Third, tourist police must work with Airports of Thailand in allocating special rest area for the travellers and facilitating late check-ins, flight changes, or others. The Immigration Office should also be contacted for fast-track service.

Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary Suwat Sidthilaw, chairing a meeting on Wednesday when the measures were agreed upon, said that the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s data showed that as of Oct 27, tourist attractions in 20 provinces have been affected by the floods.

Though October marks the beginning of Thailand’s tourism high season, tourist arrivals to Thailand have slowed down sharply in October with the daily peak of 40,528 on Oct 1. The number slumped to 22,197 on Oct 31.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

[kohphangan]

So where are these 14.4 million people going for their hols then? I have been living on the island of koh phangan for 8 years now,living at the north of the island which does not get the larger numbers as in the south of the island, Haad Rin for example (location of Full Moon party) But i have been seeing less people year after year. Even Haad Rin where numbers were told of 20,000 people going mad. The second part is right...i do not attend the party so often these days,but always get feedback. The last few i have been to there has been on average only 6- 10,000 going mad depending on which month you come.There are 4 beach operations where i live,they are all having troubled times,around the island same same,shops closing,never seen so many houses to rent signs,there everywhere you go.Samui i here is the same, July and August were the busy times,but for those who take note of what is going on in the south,end of March going into April we were smashed down here,pretty much not a place got through it without some kind of damage.Resorts smashed,samui the same the whole Suratthani Province got so much freak rain,for a month after it was probably an island back to how it used to be, No tourist.

I get to meet travelers everyday and here where they have been etc,comments again all seem to be it's quiet in Thailand. Would be interested to here if anyone has been living in an area where they have seen it getting more busy,because Koh phangan is not getting so many of those 14.4 million.

Off topic but my thoughts are with you all who have been harmed in this act of nature,act of greed act of not knowing what to do,who cares at the moment their could be many life's at risk. RIP and take care. And please someone stop these children swimming in this polluted water. Good luck to all

[geriatrickid]

Phuket's occupancy rates are holding up. Bookings for the peak holiday season are still firm. The airport is still operating at over capacity.

Phuket is not Thailand, I know, but it is one of the top destinations with direct flights. I would expect that Chiang Mai is also holding up. Life is carrying in the untouched regions. Check out the major resort availabilities starting in mid December and most are nearly booked. If these high priced options are holding up, it is an indicator that the tourist business has not tanked. If anything it might offer relief to the staff shortages in Phuket as displaced workers come in search of work. I expect that the hotels and guest houses of Hua hin and Pattaya are filled with refugees from the flooded regions.

[jonclark]

Phuket's occupancy rates are holding up. Bookings for the peak holiday season are still firm. The airport is still operating at over capacity.

Phuket is not Thailand, I know, but it is one of the top destinations with direct flights. I would expect that Chiang Mai is also holding up. Life is carrying in the untouched regions. Check out the major resort availabilities starting in mid December and most are nearly booked. If these high priced options are holding up, it is an indicator that the tourist business has not tanked. If anything it might offer relief to the staff shortages in Phuket as displaced workers come in search of work. I expect that the hotels and guest houses of Hua hin and Pattaya are filled with refugees from the flooded regions.

Wow a veritable encyclopedia of tourist knowledge and fact

[kohphangan]

I think your talking currently.... Phuket has just come out of monsoon,your high season has just started,have you noticed how many cancellations are going on? Not all Phuket tourist's fly straight in to there,they fly in Bangkok for a few days then onward. The places you mention that are now busy is not from holiday tourists the 19 million target it's the troubled north,north west,east soon to be south east people that have fled there. You just on 2 weeks hols??

[Gweiloman]

Well, I'm firmly seated in a fairly comfortable TG seat enroute to a 3 week working holiday jaunt to Europe so I won't be posting as regularly as in the previous week, to the merriment of many I believe. Swampy is definitely safe for now.

Good luck and all the best to you all, regardless of your political persuasions.

[SiamKitt]

It's OK to say the airport at Swampy is still 'safe' and operating normally, but it will only be OK for tourists with connecting flights..the airport may as well be an island if BKK is underwater & road/rail networks are flooded. how long before there are no BKK taxis goin to & from there?

Seems Pattaya will be the only option by road soon...(not looking good for me getting home to hua Hin next week)..

[swampman2]

By Golly it better be safe! Junior and JR are flyin in today with our swamp boats!

I just hope they got the .22's with em. I already seen lots of good eatin critters here in the water.

[austhaibrett]

Tourists assured of travelling convenience

The Nation

The Tourism and Sports Ministry has come up with measures to facilitate foreign tourists' travelling to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

First, TAT and Thai Hotels Association should jointly check the number of tourists departing for the airport and provide transportation to Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station. State Railway of Thailand should be alerted, if train services are insufficiently provided.

Second, from the station, travellers should be escorted by police officers to the airport. Suvarnabhumi police should be alerted for the fast-track service.

Third, tourist police must work with Airports of Thailand in allocating special rest area for the travellers and facilitating late check-ins, flight changes, or others. The Immigration Office should also be contacted for fast-track service.

Tourism and Sports Permanent Secretary Suwat Sidthilaw, chairing a meeting on Wednesday when the measures were agreed upon, said that the Tourism Authority of Thailand's data showed that as of Oct 27, tourist attractions in 20 provinces have been affected by the floods.

Though October marks the beginning of Thailand's tourism high season, tourist arrivals to Thailand have slowed down sharply in October with the daily peak of 40,528 on Oct 1. The number slumped to 22,197 on Oct 31.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

We are flying to Bangkok on the 15th November for a 3 day visit, our accommodation is in the Pratunam area. Can we still safely stay in this area or should we make other plans elsewhere, advice would be appreciated...khob khun krup :jap:

[londonthai]

if not suwarnapoom, you will be put at utapao (after pattaya).

in your place I would cancell an accommodation ang go, where is dry.

you have to wait and see

[RaoulDuke]

Tourists assured of travelling convenience

The Nation

First, TAT and Thai Hotels Association should jointly check the number of tourists departing for the airport and provide transportation to Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station. State Railway of Thailand should be alerted, if train services are insufficiently provided.

Second, from the station, travellers should be escorted by police officers to the airport. Suvarnabhumi police should be alerted for the fast-track service.

Third, tourist police must work with Airports of Thailand in allocating special rest area for the travellers and facilitating late check-ins, flight changes, or others. The Immigration Office should also be contacted for fast-track service.

-- The Nation 2011-11-04

Does anyone have a jibberish to English dictionary handy? I understand all the words in this release, but I can't seem to make any practical sense of it. So we are going to have a police escort to the airport? Are they going to provide a police escort on the rail link to clear the way for us?!?! Also, I know what fast track is, but I fail to see how it is relevant in this article. Perhaps our rail link escort will be handing out fast track passes to all farang?!

Edited November 5, 2011 by RaoulDuke

[RichardL]

There's something I find about the airport being officially declared safe more frightening than not being told anything.

[DiabloJoe]

Good luck fellaz, I'm blazed..

[anterian]

I think we can assume that to save face the Thais will do everything possible to keep the airport safe, even if it involves standing shoulder to shoulder as a human flood barrier.

[scotto]

One can only hope all is well at swampy

[David48]

Phuket's occupancy rates are holding up. Bookings for the peak holiday season are still firm. The airport is still operating at over capacity.

Phuket is not Thailand, I know, but it is one of the top destinations with direct flights. I would expect that Chiang Mai is also holding up. Life is carrying in the untouched regions. Check out the major resort availabilities starting in mid December and most are nearly booked. If these high priced options are holding up, it is an indicator that the tourist business has not tanked. If anything it might offer relief to the staff shortages in Phuket as displaced workers come in search of work. I expect that the hotels and guest houses of Hua hin and Pattaya are filled with refugees from the flooded regions.

I received an email from my ex overnight who is a Thai tourist guide in Phuket and her words were "I am very sad about Thailand this year,we have not much food now in the market getting not much food to sell,I am going to my parent tomorrow" Parents are from Udon.

As a guide, she relies on the tourist trade to earn a living and with the peak season about to start, if the bookings are firm and there was plenty of work around, it would be a strange time to travel home, even if it is Loy Krathong time.

Just interpreting her words and actions.

For the Kings Birthday about 8 of us are driving to Hua Hin and we struggled to get a decent place at a decent price.

Conversations with the owners reveal a lot of Bangkok residents travelling.

We've had to travel a bit further south past Hua Hin.

[DocN]

On one hand, I of course understand the importance of Swampy, being dry at all costs.

I am from "the industry" and a closing of BKK would be devastating for the tourist sector, but also for business in general.

But just imagine for a second, the airport stays open, even when (not IF) Bangkok is submerged.

1) food and drinking water supplies do not function as a whole anymore. I guess, Phuket, Khao Lak, Samui will have to face that in about 3 to 4 weeks time.

2) I have no clue (and honestly; in this case, I am not even sure I want to know the truth) but I guess some waterborne diseases will be passed by air. And we all know, that planes are flying biological bombs in terms of epidemics (remember SARS?).

3) i am 100% sure that I can name the second week of December as the beginning of civil unrest, inflamed by extreme political gameplaying.

So: food and water running out all over the place, diseases will spread form directly flood hit areas to the rest of the country and the mob will rule and there will be blood.

Not to spread panic, but the tourist sector will take a giant blow and will not recover anytime soon.

[khaan]

, Phuket, Khao Lak, Samui will have to face that in about 3 to 4 weeks time.

wouldn't these places be able to rely on getting their supplies from Malaysia and Singapore until things get better in Thailand?

Edited November 6, 2011 by khaan

[DocN]

, Phuket, Khao Lak, Samui will have to face that in about 3 to 4 weeks time.

wouldn't these places be able to rely on getting their supplies from Malaysia and Singapore until things get better in Thailand?

If they can, I would recommend they start doing it NOW!