Bangkoktraveler Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Bangkok Airport Likely To Reopen At Noon The Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand's main gateway, is expected to reopen for outbound flights at noon today despite being seized by thousands of anti-government supporters Tuesday night. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) authority has told airline companies that the airport could be reopened although there were doubts as supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) continued to block roads leading to the airport and had taken over passenger terminals. Hundreds of riot police and soldiers remained helpless as over 10,000 outbound passengers, mostly foreigners on long-haul flights to Europe, China and Japan, were left stranded after all outbound flights were cancelled at 9 pm Tuesday. It was the second key installation to be seized by the PAD, three months after its supporters took over the seat of the country's administration, the Government House which houses the Prime Minister's Office. The US$3.5 billion airport, which opened for flights in September 2006, is one of the busiest in the world and can accommodate 45 million passengers per year, 76 flights per hour and three million tonnes of cargo. Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which operates four daily flights between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, has cancelled MH784 which was due to leave the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 9.10 am (Malaysian time) and arrive in Bangkok at 10.15 am (Thai time), and also the return MH785 flight. A MAS official said that despite the AOT assurance that the airport could be reopened at noon, the remaining three flights later in the day have been put on hold as the situation remained chaotic. Tension has been growing in the capital since Monday when the PAD launched its "final battle" to topple Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who is expected to return home after attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting in Peru. The protesters stormed the airport in order to block Somchai's return, but he is expected to fly to the northern city of Chiang Mai where the government has strong backing, and possibly declare a state of emergency soon. At least three bombs exploded in the capital today, one injuring a PAD supporter at the Don Muang Airport, where the PAD had blocked all entrances to Somchai's temporary office since Monday, and another not far from Government House and targeting a taxi radio station. There were several clashes between PAD and pro-government supporters, as well as with taxi drivers who were shut out of the airport. PAD, which is bent on changing the country's political system that favours appointment rather than through an election, continued to demand that the military stage another coup to topple the government after similar action in 2006 saw the ouster of Somchai's brother in law, Thaksin Shinawatra. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 I doubt the airport will be open 1 hour from now, but then who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Qantas waits on Thai airport reopening AUSTRALIAN airlines are waiting to hear whether Bangkok's Suvarnabhhumi international airport will be reopened by anti-government protesters this afternoon. Protesters seeking to oust Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat stormed the airport complex yesterday, forcing the cancellation of flights and leaving hundreds of travellers, including Australians, holed up inside. â??The PAD has completely taken control of Suvarnabhumi Airport so any airline that wants to take off or land must seek permission from us directly,â? said Chaiwat Sinswuwong, one of the leaders of the protest group the People's Alliance for Democracy. â??We have allowed one flight for the Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage) to take off, but not others.â? But a Qantas spokeswoman said the airline was running to normal schedule today with QF1 still due to depart Sydney this evening at 6:05pm and due to arrive in Bangkok at 11:10pm local time. â??The airportâ??s actually in and out of operation and we will have an update a little bit later this afternoon and if necessary we will divert the flight to another port, probably Singaporeâ??â?? she said. The spokeswoman said there were also no diversions in place at this stage for a second Qantas flight that had already left London and was due to arrive in Bangkok at 3:55pm local time. But a British Airways codeshare flight had been cancelled and passengers had been accommodated on other services. A Jetstar spokeswoman said last night that the carrierâ??s flight had left the airport about 20 minutes behind schedule and before the airport was closed. She said the next flight was not until tomorrow and the airline was monitoring the situation. Thai Airways International said it had suspended all services to or from Suvarnabhumi but had diverted 16 flights to Bangkokâ??s old international airport at Don Mueang. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyinEwa/Perv Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 , and possibly declare a state of emergency soon. What the hell else has to happen before one is declared?? This is a fcuking joke!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 It sure is that..and the world is watching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Somebody sit me straight if I am wrong, but it seems to me the hand grenades and bombs that are going off are not being done by PAD but by unknown groups against PAD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TroyinEwa/Perv Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 I initially thought the one last week (Thursday, maybe) was one of their own but now believe it is action against them. It still in no way changes my opinion that PAD is doing way, way more harm than good and it is a waste of life on both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 It seems to me that PAD doesn't want Mr. T and his brother-in-law around any more. Am I missing something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Somebody sit me straight if I am wrong, but it seems to me the hand grenades and bombs that are going off are not being done by PAD but by unknown groups against PAD. They're not unknown... Cheers, SD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted November 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Thailand has lost his smile! pics says more than words, especially the first http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2008/11/25/violence-non-violence-and-the-pads-last-battle/#more-3633 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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