I feel as if I am scanning all the news channels for the breaking news that the military units which are currently on a exercise in the area of the airport (what a coincidence) are called in to move the protesters on.
From all the reports so far today it looks like the showdown is to be in the next 12 hours. I don’t know how many people are still inside the airport terminal right now, but if I were them I would find an area as far away from the protesters as possible and hide! I think anyone who knows the other side to the Thai people know that this is not going to be a clean fight.
The authorities have no choice but to go in heavy handed if the yellows t-shirts are unwilling to negotiate. Sickening as the news is out of Mumbai, it has taken a little of the focus away from Bangkok airport and hopefully the tourist industry has a very short memory. I was surprised that the markets have not gone in to freefall and although the baht has fallen a little it has held very well all things considered. I know it is a horrible thing to say but thankfully it is not a slow news week.
Suvarnabhumi Closed
They are evacuating them now I think ....kellyt wrote:From all the reports so far today it looks like the showdown is to be in the next 12 hours. I don’t know how many people are still inside the airport terminal right now, but if I were them I would find an area as far away from the protesters as possible and hide!
When they're all out I bet the authorities will move in to clear them out ?Thousands of stranded tourists will be flown out of Thai military bases in the next 48 hours, the country's tourism minister promised.
Weerasak Kohsurat said those with "urgent needs" will be taken to U-Tapao air force base, 90 miles from Bangkok and possibly an air force base at Kamphaeng Saen, a northern suburb of Bangkok.
SJ
They’ve diverted some flights there, but they have a problem in that although they have a very large runway and ramp area at U-Tapao, they don’t have anything like the amount of passenger handling facilities required to replace Suvarnabhumi to any extent.hhfarang wrote:I read where they are diverting international flights to U-Tapao airport. Maybe Pattaya will actually get a tourist boost from this?!?
I beleive that there are no im. facilities at U-Tapao, it is usually only used by Bangkok Airways for flights from BKK, Phuket and Samui. The reports I read suggest that the 3 German airlines are considering using the airport. I guess that they might move tourists that have been staying in Pattaya out through there but I do not beleive that any airline or tour operator would bring in foreigners whilst the country is in the grip of the current stand off.
Interestingly the UK Gov. advice stills read that you should contact your airline for up to date info and that you are advised to avoid the area around government house and a couple of other places in Bangkok and the Thai Cambodia border, so anyone with travel insurance will be pleased to hear that it is still valid, however it appears that flight cancellations due to the problems at the 2 airports are not becasue the insurers have chosen to classify it as a riot.
Interestingly the UK Gov. advice stills read that you should contact your airline for up to date info and that you are advised to avoid the area around government house and a couple of other places in Bangkok and the Thai Cambodia border, so anyone with travel insurance will be pleased to hear that it is still valid, however it appears that flight cancellations due to the problems at the 2 airports are not becasue the insurers have chosen to classify it as a riot.
Johhnyk,
Have you checked the link on Eva website, its a red ticker thing moving accross top of screen:
Good luck,
SJ
Have you checked the link on Eva website, its a red ticker thing moving accross top of screen:
Is the one in red you ? Now going into Utapao instead of Bangkok ?Latest Update on EVA Air's Bangkok and Utapao Flights
This web page was updated at 20:30, Nov 27 (Taipei time) / 12:30, Nov 27 (GMT)
Suvarnabhumi Airport is currently closed. EVA Air arranges extra flights for passengers as below:
Nov 28
BR1201 Taipei to UtapaoDeparture Time in Taipei 13:00, Arrival Time in Utapao 15:50)
BR1202 Utapao to Taipei
Nov29
BR1201 Taipei to Utapao
BR1202 Utapao to Taipei
Then flights to and from and via Bangkok has cancelled as below. We advise passengers to check the Flight Status page for the latest schedules and to visit our website regularly for news updates.
Nov 27
BR211 Taipei to Bangkok
BR67 Taipei via Bangkok to London
BR68 Bangkok to Taipei
BR76 Amsterdam via Bangkok to Taipei
BR212 Bangkok to Taipei
BR62 Vienna via Bangkok to Taipei
BR75 Taipei via Bangkok to Amsterdam
Nov 28
BR67 Taipei via Bangkok to London
BR68 London to Bangkok
BR76 Amsterdam via Bangkok to Taipei
Nov 29
BR68 Bangkok to Taipei
Good luck,
SJ
But aren't they saying they are laying on extra flights to Utapao for the cancelled Bangkok flights ? I don't think they normally fly there looking at there route schedules, and the flight code would have to be a new one.Suvarnabhumi Airport is currently closed. EVA Air arranges extra flights for passengers as below:
Also read:
SJThe Thai government has opened Utapao airport for international flights. Utapao is a military base near Pattaya that is used for some domestic flights and charters. EVA is one of several airlines that has scheduled special flights in to Utapao.