Suvarnabhumi Airport Not Affected By Flooding

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi Airport not affected by flooding

BANGKOK, Nov 14 – In an attempt to restore sagging visitor arrivals, officials of Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport are campaigning to tell prospective travellers around the world that the gateway to Thailand, and almost all of Thailand’s provinces, is not affected by the current floods, according to airport management.

In visits to a number of countries and tourism-related organisations, Thai officials are spreading the word that travel to Thailand is unaffected by the current floods, and that Suvarnabhumi airport is safe from flooding.

The move follows a significant drop in the numbers of daily arrivals at Thailand’s gateway airport where numbers have been cut 20,000 daily from a normal average of 130,000 persons every day.

Airports of Thailand (AOT) executive Somchai Sawasdeepon, in his capacity as Acting General Manager of Suvarnabhumi Airport said an airport working committee visited several countries and an international tourism conference to clarify the news that tourism to Thailand is not affected by the floods, after the countries issued travel warnings to their nationals.

The visits were in response to misunderstandings internationally that Bangkok was no longer accessible by air.

The confusion struck Thai tourism after news images of a flooded and closed Don Mueang Airport carried worldwide in international media gave the impression that the Thai capital was now cut off by air. The misunderstandings meant that Suvarnabhumi Airport needs to clarify to would-be tourists that the country’s gateway airport remains unaffected by the floods.

Flooding at Don Mueang, Thailand’s former international airport, does not affect travel to Thailand as Suvarnabhumi is the main airport for international flight services, and there is no disruption of travel from Bangkok to other provinces, Mr Somchai emphasised.

He conceded that after many countries issued travel warnings to Thailand, tourist arrivals at Suvarnabhumi dropped by some 20,000 daily.

Tourist numbers from Asian countries such as China and Japan dropped as travellers were concerned that Bangkok flooding would inconvenience them.

Mr Somchai also said Suvarnabhumi Airport officials on Monday met representatives from nearby communities, local authorities, and educational institutions to discuss measures to counter floods at the airport and its neighbourhood.

He expressed confidence that the airport will be spared flooding with cooperation from nearby communities by draining water through Khlong Pravet, Khlong Saen Saep and other canals near the airport.

Airport workers and local residents have been working together to dredge the canals.

The airport’s 3.50 metre dyke can effectively handle the oncoming floodwater, currently reported at 0.80 metres north of the airport and 0.50 metres south of the airport. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-14

[rvbello]

They should have done this much earlier. The private sector and particularly the hospitality industry could have pitched in their massive information dissemination resources.

[BinDhumm]

I will belive them when it is totally over. NOT BEFORE! By now it is NOT over. 25 days ago , they ashured DON MUANG will not be flooded. Look at it today.

[RickBradford]

The Thai press today said that arrivals at Suwannapuum are down from 130,000 per day to 100,000 -- so, "not affected" is not quite accurate.

[whybother]

The Thai press today said that arrivals at Suwannapuum are down from 130,000 per day to 100,000 -- so, "not affected" is not quite accurate.

The airport itself is not affected by flooding ... yet.

[givenall]

They should have done this much earlier. The private sector and particularly the hospitality industry could have pitched in their massive information dissemination resources.

How can they do that? This country has not flood medication policy the local will what they want and the police and the government just watch and no one basically in charge

No wonder no one can trust anything that they say about byany of the officials

Edited November 14, 2011 by givenall

[creck]

I think there may be people who are confused about this. I don’t mean the people who have stopped coming, I mean the people who think visitors come to see the airport. They stay away because Thailand is flooded not because they think the airport is flooded. The fact that most of Thailand is now free from floods and many tourist areas in Bangkok are also dry – that is what visitors need to understand.

BTW The idea that it is preserved as an escape route is a silly fantasy.

[Skywalker69]

Not DIRECTLY affected by water flooding the runways.

But it's an island.

Inbound and outbound access is crippled and barely possible.

People can return to Thailand but CAN THEY LIVE IN THEIR HOUSES?

Airlines like LUFTHANSA are not allowing passengers to delay their return to Thailand despite the facts on the ground.

Their corporate policy is screw passengers unless the airport is physically closed.

LUFTHANSA's official policy is: DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS! MY MIND IS MADE UP! THE AIRPORT IS OPEN! RETURN OR ELSE PAY BIG FINES TO EXTEND YOUR DEPARTURE DATE!

Note which airlines are forcing passengers to use their tickets and return to the fiasco called Thailand and BOYCOTT them in the future.

The WEAPONIZED WATER has not yet been aimed at the primary airport because, OF COURSE, the fire escape must be maintained for the criminal gang doing this to the country.

Ability to flee as fugitives MUST be maintained.

If your Countrys Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a travel warning I think the Airline Company has to refund your money.

[BabySun]

ChildishNonsenceNews - CNN kept flashing picture of DangMuang with flooded tarmac and decomissioned jumbo in water with title - "Flooded Bangkok Airport."

And people trust them?Gross BS!

[Payboy]

an airport working committee visited several countries and an international tourism conference

[lovetotravel]

ChildishNonsenceNews - CNN kept flashing picture of DangMuang with flooded tarmac and decomissioned jumbo in water with title - "Flooded Bangkok Airport."

And people trust them?Gross BS!

Sorry to point this out, but Don Muang is an operating airport in Bangkok. And it is flooded and closed. No BS there. Not their fault if people don't know Suvarnabhumi is THE international airport.

[sparebox2]

U-tapao is not flooded too.

[BabySun]

ChildishNonsenceNews - CNN kept flashing picture of DangMuang with flooded tarmac and decomissioned jumbo in water with title - "Flooded Bangkok Airport."

And people trust them?Gross BS!

Sorry to point this out, but Don Muang is an operating airport in Bangkok. And it is flooded and closed. No BS there. Not their fault if people don't know Suvarnabhumi is THE international airport.

Oh!yes - it is bulshit - their fault in fact.Their bussines is to inform people,they suggested,that BKK Airport is flooded.DanMuang is operational? - on and off,as we all know,recently - with just 2 obscure airlines using it.

CNN was scolded for this piece by many people on their own forum.

They look for negative sensations.

IMHO sensation is,that Suvarnabhumi is not flooded under these circumstances - miracle of technology,you may call it;it is new,well maintained and well designed.

[Skywalker69]

The Thai press today said that arrivals at Suwannapuum are down from 130,000 per day to 100,000 -- so, "not affected" is not quite accurate.

Yea, not long a go I heard that the flood will have no effect on tourism! thats a good one.

[nikster]

Not DIRECTLY affected by water flooding the runways.

But it's an island.

Inbound and outbound access is crippled and barely possible.

What are you talking about?? A friend of mine arrived a few days ago - he says he didn't even see any flooding until he left BKK again. Trip from the airport to Khao San road was uneventful and totally dry.

[Roadman]

The Thai press today said that arrivals at Suwannapuum are down from 130,000 per day to 100,000 -- so, "not affected" is not quite accurate.

Yea, not long a go I heard that the flood will have no effect on tourism! thats a good one.

I also recall only a short tome ago (a week or two at most) airport officals trumpeting that daily numbers at Swampy were up (correctly pointed out on this board that yes they would be with internal Don Meuang re routing). Thw incompetence does not amaze.

[nikster]

The Thai press today said that arrivals at Suwannapuum are down from 130,000 per day to 100,000 -- so, "not affected" is not quite accurate.

Yea, not long a go I heard that the flood will have no effect on tourism! thats a good one.

That was make-believe from the very start. Seeing images of a flooded Thailand every day on TV isn't going to have an impact on tourism? Yeah right. The TAT should actually have some sort of news media war-room for things like this.

Back home everyone thinks we're up to our necks in water and receiving food packages via helicopter - even though the mini flood in Chiang Mai was over a month ago, and it's been dry since. Bad news sell...

That said what's really costing Thailand is the flooded industrial estates; Tourism is a drop in the bucket compared to that.

[lovetotravel]

ChildishNonsenceNews - CNN kept flashing picture of DangMuang with flooded tarmac and decomissioned jumbo in water with title - "Flooded Bangkok Airport."

And people trust them?Gross BS!

Sorry to point this out, but Don Muang is an operating airport in Bangkok. And it is flooded and closed. No BS there. Not their fault if people don't know Suvarnabhumi is THE international airport.

Oh!yes - it is bulshit - their fault in fact.Their bussines is to inform people,they suggested,that BKK Airport is flooded.DanMuang is operational? - on and off,as we all know,recently - with just 2 obscure airlines using it.

CNN was scolded for this piece by many people on their own forum.

They look for negative sensations.

IMHO sensation is,that Suvarnabhumi is not flooded under these circumstances - miracle of technology,you may call it;it is new,well maintained and well designed.

Looks like DM has been closed for some time. According to this post:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/512153-don-muang-airport-to-take-60-days-before-reopening/