Are you on your way in or out of Thailand?

Hi guys,

I\'ve just read in the news that Anti Goverment protesters stormed the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok causing outgoing flights to be suspended.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7747886.stm

Has anyone seen or been affected by the protests in Bangkok at the moment?

I\'m travelling to Bangkok next week and will be flying into this airport!

Cheers

From Government protests in Bangkok Reply to this

From local newspaper and television reports it seems likely that a state of emergency will be declared later today. One of the first things that is likely to happen is that the army will secure all airports within the country so as to prevent further damage to the traveling public in general and the tourist industry in particular.

Quote from Is Bangkok City safe to travel now after the bomb attack few days ago? *URGENT*

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KLM just canceled inbound and outbound flights Bangkok (BKK) - Amsterdam (AMS) per 26 Nov. KLM says that they can not longer garantee the security of the passengers at BKK.

Quote from dutch traveldude

Are the airlines that are cancelling flights offering ticket holders and alternative destination?

When I was scheduled to fly to Quito with KLM the flight was cancelled because of a volcano errupting. I asked them if they would fly me to another destination in S. America instead. They did and offered me a free plane ticket from Lima to Quito which I didnt use because I travelled overland instead to Quito.

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Hi I'm a radio producer looking to find Americans caught in Bangkok for Thanksgiving with the airport protests -

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Hello Emma 😊

It might be an idea to contact your airline to find out. If they say you cant fly to Bangkok then maybe they will fly you to Malaysia or another country instead.

Mel Reply to this

As far as I know all flights to Phuket go to Bangkok and then you fly on to Phuket?? I dont think you can fly to Phuket directly? And I heard that other airports in Thailand might also be under attack by the protesters.

Let us know how it goes with the phone call to the airline. Reply to this

If it doesn't, then try the Philippines.

Do you know if the airlines are allowing ticket holders to transfer their tickets to another destination?

Im glad we chose India and not Thailand as our Christmas destination. We were going to go to Thailand. Reply to this

A news blackout! Wow! Yeah, as if they can hide it. Like trying to hide an elephant in a sock. :D Reply to this

If there are any Thai people reading this, would you tell us what you think about the political situation in Thailand and if you are worried about the tourist industry being effected in a negative way by it.

When I was in Thailand last year there was already a lot brewing. Some students were handing out surveys on the Khao San Road to find out if the political situation will stop us wanting to visit Thailand again. I didnt think at the time it would, but am now changing my mind. It would be too disappointing if my flight got cancelled and I had to wait for a few days more before going when I am all excited about getting there. Reply to this

Both Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports are now closed. Provincial airports are open but as there are few flights that do not pass through Bangkok, there are few planes taking off. We are on the flight path for Chiangmai Airport and the only plane we have seen so far today was a military jet.

From local news sources, it doesn't look as though Bangkok airports will re-open soon. The civic court has ruled that the invasion by PAD supporters is illegal - and given them 15 days to leave!

The prime minister flew back from Peru last night and could not land in Bangkok. He is now at his home in Mae Rim, Chiangmai and he has summoned all members of his cabinet to join him for a crisis meeting. The problem is there are no flights from Bangkok so it will take some time before they all get there. Even if they do meet and declare a state of emergency it is now uncertain whether the military will carry out orders from the government to clear the airports and get things back to normal. It looks increasingly likely that the occupation of the passenger terminals and traffic control centre will continue into the weekend.

If you can actually get to Thailand, please be aware that life for the vast majority of locals and tourists carries on as normal. Looking at the Travel Advice from the UK govt., what's interesting is the wording:

"We advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area. Fighting broke out on 15 October between Thai and Cambodian troops along the disputed border area near the temple..."

"We advise against all but essential travel to, or through, the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. There continue to be frequent attacks, including bombing and shooting, due to insurgency and civil unrest in these areas."

"The political situation in Thailand is very uncertain. If you are in Thailand you should keep yourself informed of developments, including by regularly checking this advice and the media. If you plan to visit Thailand you should consider the present situation when making your decision. You should exercise caution, avoiding any demonstrations or large gatherings of people."

My take on this is (a) don't go to the disputed area Preah Vihear (b) avoid traveling in the deep South and (c) the rest of the country is relatively safe to visit providing you apply commonsense as to where you go.

The immediate problem, however, is getting into the country!

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