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[mfiskong]

simon43, on 2008-08-30 08:19:28, said:

The only worrying point is that Thai news has just reported (08.20am local time) that PAD has said that if flights start again to/from Phuket today, then they will return to the airport to blockade it again.

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

At least some BKK-HKT flights cancelled again this morning. My people who were supposed to come in last night are "stranded" at BKK, having changed yesterday evening's booking for one this morning, and then getting a message that it was also cancelled.

[LivinginKata]

simon43, on 2008-08-30 08:19:28, said:

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

Simon, what's the mood of the airport taxi/bus drivers. Are they in pro or anti the PAD mob ? These guys have a lot of clout.

[BlueSmurf]

mfiskong, on 2008-08-30 08:34:07, said:

simon43, on 2008-08-30 08:19:28, said:

The only worrying point is that Thai news has just reported (08.20am local time) that PAD has said that if flights start again to/from Phuket today, then they will return to the airport to blockade it again.

I have to say, (based on the events yesterday at the airport), that these protesters are doing a very good job of killing the goose (ie tourists) that lays the golden egg....

Simon

At least some BKK-HKT flights cancelled again this morning. My people who were supposed to come in last night are "stranded" at BKK, having changed yesterday evening's booking for one this morning, and then getting a message that it was also cancelled.

Have also just watched the thai news..It would seem that the PAD supporters in Phuket have said that " if they do not get any answers today( i would assume whether the PM will step down ) then they will return tonight to stop flights in and out of Phuket airport"! Translated by my thai wife..So maybe some hope depends what you are hoping for....You can keep some of the people happy some of the time but...................

[simon43]

LivinginKata - This morning there are very few taxi drivers to be seen at the airport (no customers!). But yesterday afternoon, the taxis and minibuses were parked up by Naiyang beach, at the top corner of the airport land. It's at that location where some tourists were able to walk along the beach to reach their transport. But none of the taxi drivers would cross the PAD 'picket line', (except in a couple of cases to help elderly tourists).

Simon

[Likeki]

I have a 1430 Air Asia flight outbound from Phuket. Any word on flights in or out for this afternoon?????

[LucWise]

I am scheduled to arrive in HKT tomorrow morning after two weeks in BKK. I have a refundable ticket on Thai and could just change my schedule to fly straight back to the United States. Is this recommended given the situation in Phuket?

[LeungKen]

Likeki, on 2008-08-30 09:14:26, said:

I have a 1430 Air Asia flight outbound from Phuket. Any word on flights in or out for this afternoon?????

If I was allowed to gamble, I would have 500 Baht on the Airport staying closed today.

But in all honesty I don't think anyone here can answer your question factually.

[Peterchap]

Hundreds of Aussies stranded in Thailand
August 30, 2008, 11:02 am AEST
AAP (Australian Associated Press)
Protests in Thailand have forced the closure of three airports, leaving many Aussies stranded."
Hundreds of Australian travellers remain in limbo in Thailand after protesters seeking to overthrow the government have forced the closure of three airports.
The resort island of Phuket was the first airport to shut its doors, followed by Krabi and Hat Yai in the country's south as protests spread across the country on Friday.
Jetstar diverted its Sydney-Phuket flight to Bangkok on Friday night.
A spokeswoman says Australian passengers booked on the return flight, from Phuket to Sydney, had been provided with accommodation as they wait for the airport to re-open.
The spokeswoman could not specify how long the 265 passengers will have to wait.
"(Passengers) in Phuket have been accommodated, if they haven't been able to remain in their hotels that they were already staying in," the spokeswoman told AAP on Saturday.
"Once we've got the advice from DFAT
(Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and the airport is open then we will know that we can operate out.
"That's the situation until we have advice that we can operate out."
More than 5,000 protesters invaded Phuket International Airport on Friday, storming its two runways and preventing passengers from going in or out, according to an Agence France-Presse report.
The low-cost carrier flies between Sydney and Phuket three times per week.
The airport protests came as thousands of activists have laid siege to Bangkok's Government House calling for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign.
DFAT updated its travel advice for Thailand on Friday night to highlight the risk posed by the political unrest, on top of long-standing warnings about the threat of a terrorist attack.
"There are on-going large political demonstrations in Bangkok, a number of which have been disruptive and have blocked access to key buildings and roads," the department warns.
"The demonstrations have also affected access to some airports including in Bangkok, Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi and disrupted some rail and air services."
Thailand's southern provinces continue to have a "Do not travel" rating, while for the whole country tourists are urged to show a "High degree of caution".

[sbk]

Off-topic and inflammatory personal posts have been deleted.

Thanks very much to Simon and others who are keeping us up to date, lets try to not muddy the waters of this thread with our personal issues, thanks.

[nickh]

Hi,

Anyone have a link for int/dom flights for Phuket.

thanks

[drorb]

I apologize in advance if my question will be off topic.
I have family member's who are stuck in bangkok airport for a day or so, trying to fly to Phuket.
Should they keep on waiting, or should they try to fly to Surat Thani or Koh Samui instead, and take a bus?
Thank's in advance.....

[LeungKen]

nickh, on 2008-08-30 09:42:03, said:

Hi,

Anyone have a link for int/dom flights for Phuket.

thanks

This is it, Good Luck

http://www.phuketair...ine.com/node/12

[LeungKen]

drorb, on 2008-08-30 09:43:54, said:

I apologize in advance if my question will be off topic.
I have family member's who are stuck in bangkok airport for a day or so, trying to fly to Phuket.
Should they keep on waiting, or should they try to fly to Surat Thani or Koh Samui instead, and take a bus?
Thank's in advance.....

That is an almost impossible question to answer as nobody seems to know if the Thai Prime Minister will resign or not (and that basically is what is keeping the A/port in Phuket closed IMHO)
The "word on the street" (for what it's worth) where I live very close to the airport, is that the airport won't reopen until Samak (The current P.M.) resigns. If it was very important to get here to Phuket then plans B & C should be addressed.

[drorb]

Hat Yai airport reportedly reopened to flights
Hope it wil continue.....

[sbk]

stiggy, on 2008-08-30 10:34:40, said:

Can this post be restarted so all the political crap can be discussed else where......

I and others just want to know whats happening with the transport situation in Thailand.I really don't care for the views on the situation by armchair western wannabe politicians.

I agree stiggy, this thread is vital for those interested in the transport situation.

Please discuss the political situation in the PAD thread and leave this one to discussion of the effect of demonstrations on transport in the country, thanks

[Likeki]

Very little info concerning actual airport operations here. I am on my way there now and will provide a real time report from the airport once I get there. Wish me luck for my 1430 departure.

[sbk]

Unfortunately for everyone it is not just Phuket's airport that has been closed.

Posts have been deleted. Please honor my request to keep this topical, thanks. Further such posts will also be deleted.

[LeungKen]

Likeki, on 2008-08-30 11:20:40, said:

Very little info concerning actual airport operations here. I am on my way there now and will provide a real time report from the airport once I get there. Wish me luck for my 1430 departure.

I sincerely wish you luck, but I fear that you could be disappointed.
Perhaps a plan B should be hatched as word around the airport is that there won't be any flights out in the immediate future, but that's only gossip from a lot of the rank & file workers.(And should be treated accordingly)
Cheers & Once again Good Luck and please update us from the airport.

Edited by LeungKen, 2008-08-30 11:27:58.

[Felt 35]

Thai friend working for Thai Airways in Phuket told me just now that they "plan" to start flying again 1800hrs today.

[simon43]

Update at 11.30am:

Now some Thai friends who work in duty-free at the airport have been sent home and told that flights will not restart until at least 6pm.

Some PAD demonstrators are back at the main airport entrance again and have broken the glass windows of the car-park ticket booth. (Maybe they didn't want to pay for parking?)

Anyway, certainly not good news for tourists stranded here in Phuket and those unable to fly here for their holidays.

Simon

[sbk]

Once again, posts have been deleted.

PLEASE honor my request to keep this topical, thank you. Many people are concerned about developments on the ground in regards to airport closures, so lets refrain from judgment calls, political diatribe and hyperbole. Thank you.

[lopburi3]

Please keep this thread on topic and about hard news. I have also removed posts.

[Likeki]

Sitting inside airport now. Protesters outside but say may more on the way. There is no one manning any of the ticket counters and Air Asia has a note saying can call to change flights or get refunds. All gates closed and we had to slip through a opening in the fence. Inside relatively few passenges are waiting.....looks like many may have not even bothered to even try. Few AOT staff inside and they dont really have any good information anyway. Considering renting a car and heading north to BKK. Hope this helps some board members?????

Take Care & Good Luck,
Rich

[Boater]

simon43, on 2008-08-30 11:32:39, said:

Update at 11.30am:

Now some Thai friends who work in duty-free at the airport have been sent home and told that flights will not restart until at least 6pm.

Some PAD demonstrators are back at the main airport entrance again and have broken the glass windows of the car-park ticket booth. (Maybe they didn't want to pay for parking? )

Anyway, certainly not good news for tourists stranded here in Phuket and those unable to fly here for their holidays.

Simon

Good reporting Simon, keep the updates coming in

So i take it the airport will be shut till 6 pm?

are there many PAD there at the moment?

[simon43]

Several of my hotel customers have already rented cars to return to Bangkok the 'slow way'. In light of the current situation at Phuket Airport, this would seem to be a sensible idea if you have international flights leaving from BKK.

Simon

Edited by simon43, 2008-08-30 13:02:28.