TotallyOz Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 The Airports of Thailand has decided to close the Suvarnabhumi airport after PAD protesters entered passenger terminals. Now, there will not be out-bound flights. In-bound planes are being allowed to land for now, but can be diverted to key provincial airports if situations deteriorated. The order was issued by AOT chief Serirat Prasutanont. He made the decision after PAD protesters penetrated some passenger areas. The People's Alliance for Democracy threatened earlier Tuesday night to close down the Suvanabhumi Airport completely after several thousand PAD protesteers blocked an entrance earlier in the day and caused turmoil for numerous passengers. As PAD protesters moved to surround Suvarnabhumi Airport where the plane carrying Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was scheduled to land, the arrival of his plane from Peru was reportedly delayed due to technical problems. The estimated time of arrival has not been confirmed. Some sources said he could be arriving Wednesday evening. "We have tried to pressure the govฌernment for more than 50 hours but nothing has happened, so we need to step up our campaign by closing the airport to tell the world problems Thailand is facing," said PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul at Government House Tuesday night. Before the closure order, the Airports of Thailand was Tuesday night mobilizing its officials to Suvarnabhumi to make sure no key operations will be disrupted. Travellers still can access the terminals through Bang Na -Trad highway, but the motory-way entrance has been crowded with protesters. Many travellers have already suffered inconvenience. AOT has also issued a statement pleading with the PAD. Somchai's plane failed to take off from Lima, Peru where he attended the APEC summit after the hydraulic lock of the plane's wheels failed to unlock. The technical repair was first expected to make Somchai's flight eight hours behind the schedule, making Somchai's arrival time to be around 7 pm. It was later reported that the repair work would be finished sooner so Somchai would arrive at 5pm. Somchai was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at around noon on Wednesday. He is now expected to arrive at 7pm instead. The Public Relations Department said its reporter, Saksit Pradabsilp, reported from Peru that a hydraulic lock of the plane's wheel would not unlock, thus, preventing the plane from taking off. While PAD Tuesday split in groups and stage a rally to block a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, as caretaker prime minister, still manฌaged to have a meeting with Interior Minister Kowit Watana and PM's Office Minister Supon Fongngam at the Public Relations Department headquarters at 9.30 am. Police and military representatives also attendฌed the meeting. Chaovarat said after the meeting that the police had assured they could handle the situation. They would be patient and would not use violence. Moreover, they would ask PAD to vacate the government's temporary office at Don Mueang Airport but would not "seize/ take back" the office, otherwise, bloodshed could erupt. Chaovarat said he would leave it to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to talk to the PAD leaders himself. They were looking for a new place to hold the Cabinet meeting when the PAD blocked the Supreme Command headquarters, he said. Meanwhile, a source who joined the meeting and asked not to be named, said police had told Chaovarat they would be able to control the situation as PAD protesters mainly demonstrated at Government House and Don Mueang Airport. Being left to rally as they wanted, demonstrators are likely to be exhausted on Wednesday with half of them likely to leave the rally. Security agencies would then wait until only a few protesters were left before taking action, the source said. Somchai's delayed arrival could be the reason for the cancellation of the scheduled Cabinet meeting, the source said. Culture Minister Worawat Uaapinyakul said PAD should care more about the country and stop besieging government agencies' offices as it would hurt the country. PAD's attempt was just power struggle, he said. "The (PAD's) behaviours are like bandits'. They are unacceptable. Why don't they respect democracy or listen to people's voice? Investors are withฌdrawing nowadays as they don't know what is happening in Thailand," Worawat said. The government has been forced not to use its power, Worawat said. However, it would continue working according to the democratic system. However, it would have to discuss where its office would be. He said the Cabinet would be able to use many other places as its office. However, the military should protect its dignity by not allowing PAD to siege government offices. Worawat said he would propose to Somchai to set up an office in Chiangmai as the people there would welcome the government. A government source, who asked not to be named, said the Secretariat of the Prime Minister had not prepared any office to replace the Don Mueang Airport as it needed to discuss the issue with the premier first. The source said it was time the prime minister exercised the law against the PAD. Otherwise, PAD would lay siege to any government offices. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/25...es_30089423.php Quote
Gaybutton Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 Here are the latest developments: From THE NATION: _____ SUVARNABHUMI CLOSURE THOUSANDS STRANDED By Chularat Saengpassa The Nation Published on November 26, 2008 Up to 10,000 passengers are being stranded after the Suvarnabhumi Airport has been ordered closed as a result of blockade by the People's Alliance for Democracy The Airports of Thailand has decided to close the Suvarnabhumi airport after PAD protesters blocked an entrace, entered passenger terminals and scuffled with airport officials. The closure, ordered around 9 pm, involved stopping out-bound flights. In-bound planes were still being allowed to land Tuesday night, but can be diverted to key provincial airports if situations deteriorated. Slideshow : Chaos at Suvarnabhumi Airport The order was issued by AOT chief Serirat Prasutanont. He made the decision out of safety concern after PAD protesters penetrated some passenger areas. "The PAD members are now scattered around. I don't know who's who, or who's PAD and who's not," a senior AOT official told The Nation at around 10.30 pm. How long the closure will last is not known. THAI reported that more than 21 flights _ to Japan, India, Iran, Europe, among others _ were cancelled Tuesday night. This affected up to 6,000 travellers. Overall, up to 10,000 travellers could be affected Tuesday night alone, according to airline sources. The People's Alliance for Democracy threatened earlier Tuesday night to close down the Suvanabhumi Airport completely after several thousand PAD protesteers blocked an entrance earlier in the day and caused turmoil for numerous passengers. As PAD protesters moved to block the motorway entrance to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in the afternoon when the plane carrying Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was scheduled to land, the arrival of his plane from Peru was announced to have been delayed due to technical problems. The estimated time of arrival has not been confirmed. Some sources said he could be arriving Wednesday evening. "We have tried to pressure the govฌernment for more than 50 hours but nothing has happened, so we need to step up our campaign by closing the airport to tell the world problems Thailand is facing," said PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul at Government House Tuesday night. Before the closure order, the Airports of Thailand was Tuesday night mobilizing its officials to Suvarnabhumi to make sure no key operations will be disrupted. Travellers still can access the terminals through Bang Na -Trad highway, but the motory-way entrance has been crowded with protesters. Many travellers have already suffered inconvenience. Arrival passengers were stranded Tuesday night and the AOT officials were trying to facilitate their transport out of the airport. AOT has also issued a statement pleading with the PAD. Hectic accommodation was being provided to some stranded departure passengers. Some of them had had to walk with their luggages for up to two kilometres due to problems at the entrance. AOT also has provided a hotline number for inquiries: 02-1321882 and 02-1321888. However, an AOT official said the lines soon became jammed. For THAI flight information, the following number 02-3561111 has been provided. It was a big political gamble by the PAD, which has seen its support declining lately because of controversial, provocative moves. Its die-hard following, however, has been galvanised by deaths and injuries of PAD members since October 7, when police fired tear gas at protesters marching to Parliament. It has been reported that Prime Minister Somchai has been in touch with his Cabinet and ordered an urgent meeting with top security officials when he arrives back in Thailand late Wednesday afternoon. There were rumours about him planning to invoke an internal security act that will empower the military to take drastic action to keep law and order. The AOT was also known to have asked the Army to provide assistance if problems at the airport went out of control. Somchai's plane failed to take off from Lima, Peru where he attended the APEC summit after the hydraulic lock of the plane's wheels failed to unlock. The technical repair was first expected to make Somchai's flight eight hours behind the schedule, making Somchai's arrival time to be around 7 pm. It was later reported that the repair work would be finished sooner so Somchai would arrive at 5pm. Somchai was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at around noon on Wednesday. He is now expected to arrive at 7pm instead. The Public Relations Department said its reporter, Saksit Pradabsilp, reported from Peru that a hydraulic lock of the plane's wheel would not unlock, thus, preventing the plane from taking off. While PAD Tuesday split in groups and stage a rally to block a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, as caretaker prime minister, still manฌaged to have a meeting with Interior Minister Kowit Watana and PM's Office Minister Supon Fongngam at the Public Relations Department headquarters at 9.30 am. Police and military representatives also attended the meeting. Chaovarat said after the meeting that the police had assured they could handle the situation. They would be patient and would not use violence. Moreover, they would ask PAD to vacate the government's temporary office at Don Mueang Airport but would not "seize/ take back" the office, otherwise, bloodshed could erupt. Chaovarat said he would leave it to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to talk to the PAD leaders himself. They were looking for a new place to hold the Cabinet meeting when the PAD blocked the Supreme Command headquarters, he said. Meanwhile, a source who joined the meeting and asked not to be named, said police had told Chaovarat they would be able to control the situation as PAD protesters mainly demonstrated at Government House and Don Mueang Airport. Being left to rally as they wanted, demonstrators are likely to be exhausted on Wednesday with half of them likely to leave the rally. Security agencies would then wait until only a few protesters were left before taking action, the source said. Somchai's delayed arrival could be the reason for the cancellation of the scheduled Cabinet meeting, the source said. Culture Minister Worawat Uaapinyakul said PAD should care more about the country and stop besieging government agencies' offices as it would hurt the country. PAD's attempt was just power struggle, he said. "The (PAD's) behaviours are like bandits'. They are unacceptable. Why don't they respect democracy or listen to people's voice? Investors are withฌdrawing nowadays as they don't know what is happening in Thailand," Worawat said. The government has been forced not to use its power, Worawat said. However, it would continue working according to the democratic system. However, it would have to discuss where its office would be. He said the Cabinet would be able to use many other places as its office. However, the military should protect its dignity by not allowing PAD to siege government offices. Worawat said he would propose to Somchai to set up an office in Chiangmai as the people there would welcome the government. A government source, who asked not to be named, said the Secretariat of the Prime Minister had not prepared any office to replace the Don Mueang Airport as it needed to discuss the issue with the premier first. The source said it was time the prime minister exercised the law against the PAD. Otherwise, PAD would lay siege to any government offices. ____________________ From the BANGKOK POST: _____ AIRPORT CLOSED, SHOTS FIRED "For the safety for passengers, we have to stop flights out of the airport temporarily until the situation returns to normal." Suvarnabhumi airport manager Serirat Prasutanon at 9pm Tuesday evening. CRISIS ROUNDUP Protesters rushed into Suvarnabhumi airport and forced a halt to all flights on Tuesday, as rival forces clashed at outside, as well as on the road from Don Mueang airport where two people were wounded in the first exchange of gunfire between the PAD and UDD. "I can confirm that there were gunshots," a police colonel on the scene said. "There was a slight clash and two people were wounded." In the eastern suburbs, protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy - some masked, some armed with metal rods - rushed into the main terminal, startling thousands of passengers and staff. They forced airport officials to shut down operations and cancel all outbound flights indefinitely. Planes on their way to Suvaranabhumi were still landing late on Tuesday. The violence in the northern part of the capital, meanwhile, began on the main Vibhavadee Rangsit Road, when supporters of the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) threw stones at a truck carrying PAD members. The anti-government PAD members were returning from Don Mueang, where they have attempted to blockade the temporary seat of government. From their truck, the PAD members fired slingshots and then at least two pistols at the UDD members. The fight escalated, as the PAD truck turned to pursue the several dozen UDD supporters, firing at them. Two of the fleeing UDD members were shot in the incident. The PAD truck was apparently on the way to join about 1,000 PAD protesters who gathered in front of the armed forces headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road on Tuesday, with more on the way. They aim to prevent a cabinet meeting rumoured to be scheduled for the building on Wednesday. The entrance and exit gates of the command headquarters were closed. Military guards, with two fire engines, have been deployed for security inside the compound. Meanwhile, the government remained in place and the army vowed there would be no coup. The PAD planned to submit a letter to Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara, asking the military to take sides in the conflict. But they looked to be disappointed again. "The armed forces have agreed that a coup cannot solve our country's problems and we will try to weather the current situation and pass this critical time," army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said. "The military will use all of its resources to prevent a clash," he said, but added that he was confident there would be no bloodshed. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was on his way back from the Apec summit in Peru. He will have to find new office space again; the PAD have seized his offices in Government House and at Don Mueang. In Lima, Mr Somchai told reporters that he will call a meeting of all relevant agencies as soon as he returns on Wednesday. He criticised the PAD's plan to gather at Suvarnabhumi airport when he arrives. The prime minister said this could cause considerable damage to the country and the PAD should think of the majority. But there is no sign that the government will resign. It has effectively gone into hiding, and appears non-functional but there is no sign that the protests will force it to step down as the PAD indicated it would. The PAD also stiffened its position again. Coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said there will be no negotiations with the government under any circumstances, because talks would be futile. He said the PAD’s plan is to stop the government from exercising its power by all means, including by besieging the alternative government headquarters at Don Mueang airport. He was reacting to a government offer to talk from acting prime minister Chavarat Charnveerakul, who proposed that Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva act as mediator at a neutral ground, the defence ministry. Democrat party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said in this situation the government should either resign or dissolve the House of Representatives. (with news agency reports) Quote
Guest Steve1903 Posted November 25, 2008 Posted November 25, 2008 Sorry but this sort of behaviour needs to be stamped on a bit more forcefully than appears to be happening. Protest by all means but there's nothing very democratic about stopping people arriving / leaving the country. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 It is now 8:30 am Wednesday in Thailand. I just watched a Thai TV English new broadcast. The Suvarnabhumi Airport will remained closed until furthur notice. There is no estimate of reopening time. The inbound air traffic has been allowed to land, but no flights are departing. Bangkok Airways just announced cancellation of all domestic and international flights at least till noon today. Prime Minister Somchai is scheduled to return this evening, and they said that he would now land at U'Tapao (sp) in Pattaya. I didn't think it was a good plan to announce this, but the airport manager probably hopes that the protesters leave him alone and go to Pattaya. I don't know what this might do to the exchange rate, but it will probably have an impact. They are talking about a lot of passengers having no transportation, trouble getting baggage out of the airport, especially those on connecting international flights. It is generally a mess!!! It doesn't look to me (IMOP) like the airport will reopen any time soon. If I was planning on flying in today or tonight, I would plan on my flight being cancelled/postponed????? Quote
Gaybutton Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 If I was planning on flying in today or tonight, I would plan on my flight being cancelled/postponed????? I was thinking that incoming flights might be diverted to U-Tapao. That would actually be quite convenient for those headed for Pattaya, assuming enough taxis would go to U-Tapao. It's a short, easy trip from U-Tapao to Pattaya. But if the PAD tries to blockade that airport too, then would not be much of a temporary solution. The next nearest airport capable of handling diverted flights would be the Phitsanulok airport. It's not a large airport and is at least a two hour drive north of Bangkok. Incoming international flights might have to be diverted to Chiang Mai or be halted at intermediate stops, such as Tokyo, Incheon, Hong Kong, or Taipei. A great many flights coming in from the USA make stops at those airports. However, the PAD might have a lot more trouble blocking the U-Tapao airport. That airport is on a military base and is part of the military base. The military might not be quite so accommodating if a blockade occurs. This is a serious situation and, in my opinion, not a very bright move on the part of the PAD. Preventing people from being able to enter of leave Thailand won't exactly help tourism or generate international sympathy. One of my closest friends is due in tonight. He's most likely on his flight right now and may not even be aware of any of this. I hope he manages to get in without too much trouble. He lives in Pattaya, but has been in the USA on business for the past few weeks. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving too. My table may end up having one less person. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 U-Tapao would be a challenge to block, as it is pretty secure with gates several kilometers from the terminal/runways. However, it would be a real challage to handle any large aircraft because of terminal restrictions on size. I would imagine that all the one stop flights will never take off for Bangkok from the intermediate stop until the airport is reopened. Thai's nonstop from LAX woudl already have arrived here at 0600. Maybe Ubon Ratchathani will become the new Hub of Thaland International Travel!! lol Such Fun!! Quote
Gaybutton Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 Thai Airways has announced that they will divert flights to both U-Tapao and Don Muang airports for the time being. It's hard to understand why the PAD has made this move. Even if it somehow forces the government to topple, it is also costing the a great deal of support. Certainly travelers, especially international travelers, are not thrilled. Also, I felt the PAD had media support before, but apparently they've lost whatever support they had over this. Maybe the reason, in part, is to further humiliate Thaksin. After all, Suvarnabhumi Airport was his pet project. Many of you may remember how he had insisted that the airport open despite the fact that it wasn't ready to be opened. Whatever their reason may be, "We are not amused." This could have a more far-reaching effect. It isn't just passengers that arrive and depart from airports. There is also mail and freight. Preventing that kind of transportation can also cause a lot of problems. I hope none of you are stranded, trying to get home. Of course if you have to be stuck somewhere, I can definitely think of worse places to be stuck. I suppose the silver lining might be that you now have a perfect excuse to extend your holiday in Thailand. I just hope your money holds out until you can find a way to get back home. That could get to be a real problem for people who are stranded if this goes on for any serious length of time. Another problem will probably be getting a flight out once the airport reopens. Every day this goes on, that's a plane load of people who had intended to go home, but couldn't. It could take days, or even weeks, to get a flight out. I hope it doesn't come to that. I would think, once the airport reopens, airlines that have spare planes will bring them to Bangkok to help people who are only trying to go home. If any of you are caught up in the middle of this situation, either trying to go home or trying to come to Thailand, please post here and let us know what you have been told and what you are experiencing. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted November 26, 2008 Posted November 26, 2008 Thai Airways has announced that they will divert flights to both U-Tapao and Don Muang airports for the time being. TG's website confirms that 16 incoming flights have been diverted. Apart from these, all incoming and outbound flights by all airlines are now cancelled. Even British Airways flights from London to Sydney via Bangkok are cancelled. I doubt more flights will be diverted, even though they'd like to. The logisitcal complexities of obtaining landing rights at other airports, dropping passengers many hundred of kms from their destination etc. is far too complex at such short notice. I also cannot see flights with a stop prior to Bangkok and a plane change en route - e.g. from the US via Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Seoul. Hong Kong, Taipei and Manila - agreeing to take passengers only part of the way and then dropping them temporarily in those cities. Who'd then pick up the tab for food, hotels etc. at the intermediate stop? With the demonstrators vowing to keep up their action until Friday, as GB points out the backlog of passengers in and out will end up in the tens of thousands. Since airlines typically look after their premium passengers and loyalty club members first, if you are stranded here or overseas on a cheap ticket, be prepared - it may well take you over a week to get on a flight. I would think, once the airport reopens, airlines that have spare planes will bring them to Bangkok to help people who are only trying to go home. Hopefully this will happen. But, despite the airline industry's woes in these days of economic meltdown, we are entering the peak travel season and I suspect getting back to base will indeed take many days. I'd quickly check your travel insurance to see what compensation you qualify for. What to do? If I had scheduled a holiday here and was booked on a cancelled flight to Bangkok, I'd not be happy having to wait for up to a week. So I'd immediately try to switch to a flight to Phuket, as this is virtually the only international gateway (although Chiang Mai does have a handful of international flights), and then get a domestic flight to Don Muang from there. Alternatively, I might try flying to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Penang and then get the train or bus. For the more adventurous, Cambodia and Laos should work as most visitors can get visas on arrival. I fully realise that these measures will impact the total cost. Personally I'd rather cough up than lose out on a holiday and perhaps not get a full refund on my ticket. When flight cancellations are forced on them by external factors, airlines far prefer to fill up empty seats on flights to nearby destinations (that's happened to me more than once) or get you to travel at a later date. They hate giving refunds! I accept, though, that this may just be impossible for many visitors. Sorry but this sort of behaviour needs to be stamped on a bit more forcefully than appears to be happening. Totally agree with gaysac's comment. How is it that this glistening new airport (already showing signs of age) is allegedly equipped to handle terrorist attacks, but cannot keep away local protestors? Since the PAD had targetted Suvarnabhumi before, the government has shown yet more utter incompetence in not beefing up the airport's security thereby allowing the protestors to do so much damage to the country and the fragile economy. Shakepeare summed it up well: "A plague on both your houses!" Quote
