Tourists stranded after Thailand airport riot

[NM]

From news.com.au:

AUSTRALIAN tourists are among thousands of people left stranded at Bangkok's main international airport, where an explosion has been heard after anti-government protests turned violent overnight.

 

[drron]

And we are booked on BA10 on Sunday.

 

[serfty]

BA9/BA10 have been cancelled today.

QF1/QF2 are still showing as operating.

 

[creeno]

My colleague is due to fly Koh Samui > Bangkok & Bangkok > Sydney (QF2) today. She said they are struggling to get any info over there.

Ordinarily I would be happy to be stranded in Thailand, but given the current instability over there, now sure isn't the time!

 

[markis10]

Qantas have an update as per usual on their website regarding future bookings etc:

Answer

There is a link on the home page which may change as time goes on so I would recommend checking!

 

[dot]

According to DFAT, BKK is currently closed completely (whereas earlier this morning is was still operating, but some flights were cancelled) - see Travel Advice for Thailand - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

 

[serfty]

For some contemporary information use this resource:

• 2Bangkok.com - Almost like being there

 

[dajop]

We got this travel advice this morning:

Effective immediately, employee travel to Thailand, including Thai employees, is suspended until further notice. This means that absolutely no travel to the country will be permitted.

The civil unrest is becoming more severe as confrontation between Pro and Anti-Government forces appear to be escalating in tension.

The unrest so far has had little effect on commercial operations. Clashes between People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters and security forces could occur if the unrest continues to worsen.

The security situation in Bangkok worsened on Nov. 26 with several blasts reported in the city. An explosion, possibly caused by a grenade, occurred at around 0600 at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK), wounding at least two people. A grenade attack around the same time at the Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) wounded another two people. Two grenades were also thrown at pro-government demonstrators on the DMK road, injuring three people.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) was fully shut down early Wednesday, with incoming flights being diverted to other points in Thailand including Chiang Mai and coughet, flights from/into Thailand's Don Mueang Domestic Airport (DMK) are either cancelled or delayed.

Further incidents of violence between rival political supporters are possible in Bangkok. Employees in Bangkok should maintain a low profile and avoid crowds and demonstrations, including the airports, especially in the area surrounding the Government House.

 

[winetraveller]

I'd be happy to be stranded in Bangkok, I'm stranded at the Hilton in MEL trying to get to Bangkok......

Was mean't to be on TG980 tonight, but I've been told it will be delayed by at least 5 hours (a 6 am flight time tomorrow) although I can't see this happening.

I was due to be there for a few days R&R before heading back home to Boston, but it looks like that's ideas all shot....

 

[serfty]

More information on the FT Thailand Forum:

BKK closed by anti-government protesters - Page 4 - FlyerTalk Forums

... It sounds as though no flights are operating into/out of BKK except one Iran Air Haj flight was allowed to depart ~ 11:00 AM. Negotiations with the PAD to open the airport have failed/stalled; the PAD appears to be essentially holding passengers hostage in the terminal, although they are allowed to leave on foot and walk ~ 3 Km to possibly find transportation, whilst potentially dodging bullets and bombs. Staff, incl. Immigration, are reluctant to go to work. Most airlines are hestiant to sned planes to BKK for fear of having them stranded here for a few days. Some are stuck on planes. ...

 

[markis10]

QF have rerouted flights via SIN and updated their website:

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]26 November 2008 - QF1 and codeshare flight BA7311 from Sydney to London via Bangkok will now operate Sydney to London via Singapore. [/FONT] [SIZE=+0]For customers with a final destination of Bangkok, we request that you call Qantas reservations on 131313 to discuss rebooking alternatives. [/SIZE] If you are utilizing Bangkok as a stopover transit stop and your final destination is London, you may choose to travel through on this flight to London.
• 25 November 2008 - QF2 and codeshare flight BA7312 from London to Sydney via Bangkok will now operate London to Sydney, via Singapore. For customers with a final destination of Bangkok, our airport staff in Singapore will assist with onward travel to Bangkok.

 

[Hvr]

I'd be happy to be stranded in Bangkok, I'm stranded at the Hilton in MEL trying to get to Bangkok......
.

I am stuck in the Novatel at BKK AP with no idea of when I can leave. Would happily be in MEL than here.

Hotel staff advise us not to leave the hotel.

I am watching thousands of pax stuck in the terminal get bussed to who knows where, Strong rumours that the Army will attend this evening.

That could mean anything and I don't see any upside.

My J trip home on QF2 this evening ain't happening. Still at least I have a room.

Will keep you posted here and on FT.

Also as I mentioned on FT if any AFFers are here let's have a meeting. PM me. May as well do something productive with the time (apart from finalising my TR ).

 

[NM]

Protesters storm Bangkok airport control tower - reports

From news.com.au:

ANTI-GOVERNMENT protesters have stormed the control tower at Bangkok's main international airport, local media report.

In a text message to subscribers The Bangkok Post said masked members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) invaded the control tower at Suvarnabhumi airport, a day after they stormed the main terminal, prompting airlines to cancel flights.

 

[creeno]

We managed to get my colleague (due to fly out on the same flight as hvr) on a flight from Koh Samui to Singapore tonight.

She will then travel to Sydney tomorrow on QF32. She was booked on frequent flyer tickets...so is pretty chuffed that she only has to wait til the morning before she's on her way back home. Probably a better outcome than many still stuck in BKK.

 

[winetraveller]

I am stuck in the Novatel at BKK AP with no idea of when I can leave. Would happily be in MEL than here.

Hotel staff advise us not to leave the hotel.

I am watching thousands of pax stuck in the terminal get bussed to who knows where, Strong rumours that the Army will attend this evening.

That could mean anything and I don't see any upside.

My J trip home on QF2 this evening ain't happening. Still at least I have a room.

I agree about having a room, and I don't see an upside either. At least I have a nice corner suite.

TG an MEL and their customer service are just in a holding pattern. I'm rebooked for tomorrow, but I don't have any faith that this will happen.

It is however noticeable that at times like these status helps. The guy in front of me at the equiry desk at the airport obviously had none, and was told he would not be offered accomodation, however the German guy I was talking to and myself were put up for the night.

I'm annoyed for a few reasons, I didn't have to go via Bangkok, but wanted to stop for a few days break, I could have left yesterday but changed my flight to catch up with and old school friend and I could have seen this coming. Mind you that would have meant being stuck in BKK, although at this point it would at least be eventful, the Hilton at Melbourne Airport is not that.

At this point I'm most likely to get on a flight to SFO on Friday, so no desparately needed break and I am most likely to be flying with UA rather than TG.

 

[simongr]

Hmm my nephew is with his mum and Thai grandparents in Pattaya at the moment. She is due to fly back next week. He is coming back in Jan with his grandparents. I am more concerned about the general situation than the flights themselves...

 

[QF WP]

Wow, an AFF'er stck in BKK during the incident and reporting (seems just like a live cross from the news desk to the reporter on site).

Thanks hvr and I hope you stay safe until you can get out. Was reported tonight on the 11pm Channel 10 news (in BNE) that the protestors are asking for the resignation of the Thai Prime Minister, who is due to fly in to BKK tonight (our time).

Guess the world economic downturn is causing some issues in Thailand....

 

[dajop]

Guess the world economic downturn is causing some issues in Thailand....

Don't know if it has a whole lot to do with the economic downturn. This has been brewing for years. I'm no expert on Thai politics, but the general view amongst my Thai colleagues is that the ruling elite didn't/don't like Thaksin's new money and the way he won over rural voters, and started paying protestors to try and overthrow him and did ... but his allies ("stooges"?) won another election, and now they're trying to overthrow the new (third) PM. So still paying lots of protestors but starting to take on a life of its own. That's the thing about democracy, when you're born to rule, it's a real pain in the backside when the people don't vote for you.

 

[dot]

Thanks hvr and I hope you stay safe until you can get out. Was reported tonight on the 11pm Channel 10 news (in BNE) that the protestors are asking for the resignation of the Thai Prime Minister, who is due to fly in to BKK tonight (our time).

Surely the PM would just fly into the old Don Muang Airport - it is already a military base (and presumably has a more secure capability) and it is closer to the PMs office as well - if he can get past the protesters there...

not having a go - just adding my opinion. Oh and also hvr - hope you get out safely, but it is like a live news cross

 

[Keith009]

I'm glad I didn't proceed with prior plans to visit BKK. Changing flights or worse being stuck there would've been an ordeal.

I hope you're safe Hvr - all the best with getting home. At least you've now got one hell of a TR for us.