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[george]

Anti-government protesters storm Bangkok airport

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok’s new international airport has closed after hundreds of anti-government protesters stormed the terminal building, scuffling with riot police.

Members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy members pushed their way through police lines and began roaming through the sprawling $4 billion terminal as startled tourists looked on, a Reuters journalist at the scene reported.

Airport manager Serirat Prasutanon announced the closure at 9.15pm Thai time. A few minutes later, hundreds of demonstrators broke though police lines into the passenger terminal.

In a statement, Mr Serirat said that airport authorities had tried to negotiate with the protesters “but to no avail.”

“For the safety for passengers, we have to stop flights out of the airport temporarily until the situation returns to normal,” he said, adding that incoming flights were still operating.

Earlier, he said that the governor of Samut Prakan province where the airport is located had asked the army to help police.

The terminal invasion was the climax of a dramatic day that also saw PAD protesters firing on pro-government supporters on a major road leading to the old airport to the north of the city.

Footage aired by public broadcaster TPBS showed at least two PAD security guards firing half a dozen rounds from handguns. The PAD said they were attacked first with planks and stones. At least 11 people were hurt, a city emergency services official said.

There were chaotic scenes at Suvarnabhumi, the new airport which is the gateway for the 13 million tourists who visit every year, when protesters broke through lines of hundreds of shield-toting riot police.

Earlier, thousands of PAD members waved plastic hand-clappers, flags and portraits of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, while others slung razor wire across the four-lane access road.

“Our goal is to shut down Suvarnabhumi airport until Somchai quits,” PAD spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan said of the protest, aimed at Somchai Wongsawat, the Prime Minister, who returns tomorrow from an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru.

He would not land at Suvarnabhumi, a spokesman said.

The airport siege, one of the PAD’s most disruptive acts in its six-month campaign, could undermine public support for a movement that appears to be going to ever greater extremes to provoke a violent government backlash.

“It is time to make a clear-cut choice between good and evil, between those who are loyal and traitors,” PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk told supporters at a rally earlier in the day.

Somchai has rejected repeated PAD demands that he resign because of allegations he is a puppet of his brother-in-law, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as leader in a 2006 coup.

Even though a nationwide strike failed to materialise, the airport unrest could deepen the economic impact of a crisis that has stymied government decision-making and raised fears about the export-driven economy’s ability to cope with a global slump.

The government forecast this week that the economy would grow just 4.5 per cent this year, its slowest rate in seven years.

However, Thai shares and the baht shrugged off the protests, with the main stock index up 1.5 percent as Asian bourses rose after the US bailout of Citigroup.

Opinion polls show waning public support for the PAD, an unelected coalition of royalist businessmen, academics and activists.

Some analysts say its powerful backers in the Bangkok establishment, including Queen Sirikit, are getting cold feet about the damage the political strife is inflicting on the economy.

“The people who’ve been backing PAD in the background have got frightened that it’s getting out of control. It’s a threat to public order and even the structure of the state itself,”, historian and political analyst Chris Baker said.

Despite his ties to Thaksin, Somchai’s bland, inoffensive personality has proved a hard target, and police are determined to avoid a repeat of October 7, when two protesters were killed and hundreds injured in street battles, the worst unrest in 16 years.

Bloodshed could trigger another coup only two years after the army removed Thaksin, but army chief Anupong Paochinda reiterated on Tuesday that a putsch would do nothing to resolve the fundamental political rifts.

The PAD enjoys the backing of Bangkok’s urban middle classes and elite, while Thaksin and the government largely claim their support from the rural voters and urban poor who returned them in a December election.

-- timesonline.co.uk 2008-11-25

[bubba]

PAD just published this a few minutes ago:

People’s Alliance for Democracy Announcement 26/2008

The Ultimatum for the Prime Minister to Resign Immediately and Without Condition

http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/ViewData...?DataID=1010782

[SteveInThailand]

MrSnrang, on 2008-11-25 23:09:44, said:

SteveInThailand, on 2008-11-25 21:57:58, said:

Has anything been said about when the aiprot will re-open? I need to fly tomorrow!!

Doubt it.
It's been reported that the Honorable Wongsawat won't be in until 7 PM. Plan to stay for a couple more days.

Yeah, thanks for that. It's not too bad for me but my parents are supposed to fly to New Zealand and they will miss all of their connecting flights!

My visa expires tomorrow, any idea if i will have to pay overstay charges? Shoud i sue the PAD if i do?? hahaha

[jeffer]

I could hardly believe it watching BBC news this evening. Police were helping tourists step over coils of barbed wire strung across the road instead of getting some wire cutters and removing the wire. Unbelievable how a reputed few hundred protesters can force a major airport closure. Closing Phuket was bad enough but now  Suvarnabhumi? Insanity, pure and simple.  

[FatherF]

frodo, on 2008-11-25 15:22:42, said:

Can this thread be limited to the closure of the airport? I'm reading the same drivel here that has been said numerous times already on many other threads. I would like to read what is happening at the airport.

Well said Frodo.

Sky news is reporting it as closed -

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-New..._Storm_Terminal

But the airport arrivals/departures are still showing it as active! -

http://www.bangkokai...ne.com/node/129

FF

[Maverell]

Unless the protesters go home from Suvarnabhumi airport within the next 24 hours the wheel is going to come off big time. Maybe thats an understatement.

A major international airport cannot be held hostage - the knock on effects will make Thailand a laughing stock of the world ( if its not already ).
So sad.

A friend of mine has just called me from Abu Dhabi - his flight into BKK has been delayed - length of time not known.

Edited by Maverell, 2008-11-25 22:39:46.

[amanda76]

Should we be concerned as residents of Phuket?

I only ask because we have infants and toddlers here.

My apologies for not being up to the minute on the current situation, should we be getting out of here?

~a~

[george]

Bangkok airport closed after protesters storm terminal: officials

BANGKOK: --Bangkok's main international airport halted all flight operations on Tuesday after anti-government protesters stormed the departures area, Thai authorities said.

Officials said Suvarnabhumi airport, a key transport hub for millions of travellers in Asia which opened in 2006, could not reopen until demonstrators had left the building.

"I decided to shut down services after the protesters broke the door on the fourth floor of the terminal and stormed into the departure lounge. I had no alternative," airport director Saereerat Prasutanont told government-run NBT television.

"Departure flights cannot operate. I have announced the stoppage of services since 9:00 pm (1400 GMT)," added Saereerat, who is also the acting president of Airports of Thailand.

Asked about arrivals, he replied: "It depends on the control tower. Protesters are at the departure lounge, they are not in the arrival lounge."
However a spokesman for AOL said that all flights had been cancelled.

"Airports of Thailand (AOL) decided to shut down Suvarnabhumi after protesters stormed the terminal. We have already informed the airlines who operate from it," an AOT spokesman told AFP.

"Flights in the air will be diverted to either Chiang Mai, Phuket or other airports, but it closed as of 9:00 pm," the official said, referring to cities in northern and southern Thailand.

At least 2,000 protesters earlier surrounded the airport as part of their six-month campaign to oust the government, which they say is a puppet of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Police Colonel Theeradej Chanurak, a senior police official responsible for the airport, confirmed that protesters had entered the terminal.
"Some of the protesters have entered the terminal buildings. They walked towards it while police tried to stop them but could not do anything as police have received orders not to use any force," Theeradej said.

Airport director Saereerat said the owner of Suvarnabhumi had asked the Thai army chief for assistance because police could not help "but so far there is no response from the army."

"The airport will resume when the protesters retreat but I have no idea when that will be," he added.

--AFP 2008-11-25

[george]

Thai Government Tells Army to Restore Order at Bangkok Airport

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s government called on the military to help restore order at Bangkok’s international airport after demonstrators stormed into the main terminal.

“We are using non-violent measures but we may further step up our actions later,” government spokesman Nattawut Saikuar said today in a telephone interview from Bangkok.

Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport was closed due to protests. The international airport canceled all departing flights after demonstrators surged into the terminal, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier, thousands of anti-government protesters occupied Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat’s temporary office, three months after taking over the official Government House compound in central Bangkok.

Anti-government protesters yesterday blockaded parliament, forcing lawmakers to abandon a legislative session, and threatened to confront Somchai at the airport when he returns from an Asia Pacific summit in Peru. The premier has rejected calls for his resignation, and police have avoided clashing with the protesters after an Oct. 7 incident at parliament in which two people died and 470 were injured.

-- Bloomberg 2008-11-25

[h90]

amanda76, on 2008-11-25 22:39:44, said:

Should we be concerned as residents of Phuket?

I only ask because we have infants and toddlers here.

My apologies for not being up to the minute on the current situation, should we be getting out of here?

~a~

No worry! Not in Phuket. Nothing will happen and specially noone has any bad fellings about foreigner.

[ironhut]

As an ex-Pat living here in BKK, I've been telling my friends and relatives to continue with their plans to visit Thailand...while adding that the Thais are a very passive people. Of course I've also mentioned that the recent non-violent protests have been limited to a 3 km area west of the downtown area.

Tonight's episode (complete with leading BBC, CNN, MSNBC photos and commentary) won't be assuring to any visitors no matter what I or anyone else tries to explain. I'm afraid now that things will get much, much worse before it gets better...very unfortunate.

[Journalist]

I'm relieved I got my family out two months ago.

Looks like the stalemate is broken and we're now rapidly approaching endgame.

[Maverell]

If the army refuse to help free the airport and it remains closed thats the end of the government. Maybe thats the plan. No direct military coup.....

We will see.

Edited by Maverell, 2008-11-25 22:58:29.

[C5VETTE]

My father is in the departure level supposed to fly after midnight.

No problem for him to get in to the airport using backroads.

All Airport personnel have left with no information to the thousands of travellers stranded there. TIT

[DTiger]

Just back from the airport... in fact, I should say nearly the airport.... All roads are closed, no way to access, even if some cars/taxi still succeed to leave it.
Good luck for those who had plane tonight or have plane in the next days!!

[jimf]

Just FYI

http://www.ua2go.com/flifo/FlightSummary.d...amp;Check=Check

I had a friend on this flight, its just now departing according to this.... although they have been there all day already waiting on servicing of the aircraft, but they appear to be allowing them to depart.

[wpcoe]

Looks like maybe the airport is open again for (limited) departure operations? www.flightstats.com is showing TG 307 departed for CMB at 1028pm, TG640 departed for NRT at 1053pm, and JL738 departed for NGO at 1102pm.

[bangkokrick]

So the airports are closed and if there is a civil war no farangs can leave. Yes that means me and you. Very sad for Thailand.

Cheers, Rick

[markg]

bangkokrick, on 2008-11-25 23:31:40, said:

So the airports are closed and if there is a civil war no farangs can leave. Yes that means me and you. Very sad for Thailand.

Cheers, Rick

Actually Thailand has more then one international airport....................and plenty of land borders.
we can all leave quite easily and safely to Laos or Malaysia.............who frankly must be rubbing their hands in glee.

[Newbie2008]

wpcoe, on 2008-11-25 23:28:35, said:

Looks like maybe the airport is open again for (limited) departure operations? www.flightstats.com is showing TG 307 departed for CMB at 1028pm, TG640 departed for NRT at 1053pm, and JL738 departed for NGO at 1102pm.

This is probably airlines getting their planes out until things calm down, whether they have passengers or not. They also have schedules to keep in other locations

[toptuan]

Now, True Visions, Channel 6 (TPBS) shows scenes of inside the passenger terminal. Police in full riot gear marching among bewildered and haggard/frustrated white tourists clutching their small children close to them.

Great poster material for TAT's future marketing of Thailand.

Edited by toptuan, 2008-11-25 23:40:40.

[h90]

Reading: http://www.flightstats.com
everything looks pretty normal.

[george]

Suvarnabhumi airport closes as protesters storm through police lines

BANGKOK: -- Civil aviation authorities in the Thai capital closed Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday night after hundreds of anti-government protesters broke through police lines and flowed into the busy terminal, disrupting airport operations, in an attempt to stop Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from returning to the country.

The premier had attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Peruvian capital of Lima, and is flying from there for home.

Acting Airports of Thailand (AoT) president and Acting Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Serirat Prasutanont announced shortly after 9pm that the airport cancelled all departing flights.

For the time being incoming flights are still arriving, but airport operations have been greatly disrupted.

The airport chief said in a statement that airport authorities had tried to negotiate with the protesters.

Flights out of the airport have to be cancelled temporarily for the safety of passengers, until the situation returned to normal, said Mr.Serirat.

The Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua announced earlier that the premier, a brother-in-law of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would return to Thailand via an alternate port of entry, due to the PAD protesters surrounding the airport.

The second day of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s latest protests turned violent as PAD protesters opened fire and shot on government supporters on Bangkok's Vibhavadee Road leading to the government's temporary headquarters.

Police said at least ten people were wounded, and several motorcycles torched in the attack.

The key PAD leaders vowed to topple the government by Wednesday.

-- TNA 2008-11-25

[Changkok]

h90, on 2008-11-25 23:39:38, said:

Reading: http://www.flightstats.com
everything looks pretty normal.

Trust me h90 i live close to the airport and the planes are not in the sky.

[george]

No planes out of Suvarnabhumi

BANGKOK: -- Airport authorities closed down Suvarnabhumi airport on Tuesday night as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) fought with taxi drivers in another step in attempting to topple the government.

Protesters - some masked, some armed with metal rods - broke through police lines and flowed into the busy terminal, disrupting airport operations, in an attempt to stop Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from returning to the country.

PAD demonstrators used cars and trucks to block the only highway with access to the airport.

Acting Airports of Thailand (AoT) president and Acting Suvarnabhumi Airport Director Serirat Prasutanont announced shortly after 9pm that the airport cancelled all departing flights.

For the time being incoming flights are still arriving, but airport operations have been greatly disrupted.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul announced at the anti-government stage at Government House that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat must resign without any condition to pay for its guilt in the Oct 7 violence which killed on demonstrator and injured more than 400 people at parliament.

Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua had announced earlier that the premier, a brother-in-law of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would return to Thailand via an alternate port of entry.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-11-25