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[rsamui]

lebeau69, on 2008-12-01 12:30:52, said:

pattaya_girl, on 2008-12-01 11:46:10, said:

PhilHarries, on 2008-12-01 11:31:55, said:

george, on 2008-12-01 13:19:56, said:

However, Suvarnabhumi airport will remain closed until 6pm today due to the presence of protesters, making it unsafe to reopen the airport.

-- TNA 2008-12-01

Huh? Have I missed something?

When are the Airports opening again?

According to Reuters, it will take at least one week... when sit-in is over

Wear black instead of red or yellow to show you are fed up with this stupid rally's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[carolinep]

VocalNeal, on 2008-12-01 12:06:57, said:

I empathize with those pasengers but I wonder why most do not simply get on the train to Penang. Get a bus from there to KL and leave from there.
Is the average tourist that hopeless?

On a different tack I hope the Thai travellers to Mecca managed to get out. Some of them may have saved for years for their one ond only trip of a lifetime.

I understand what you say about travellers using land transport to a neighbouring country and flying out from there. But the travellers to Mecca I don't think should be top priority- have a mate who's mother had a stroke- unable to visit her and the prognosis is grim. Feel more sorry for people in those sort of situations.
Fingers crossed it will all be resolved soon,
Christian who would love to be home for Xmas (something I can only afford to do every few years!)

[PoorSucker]

BKKRyan, on 2008-12-01 12:44:49, said:

I've been stuck down in Phuket wanting to get to BKK (Yes it can be done, but not too bad to be here) I wonder how travel insurrance works with this situation. I just dropped an extra hundred bucks on a one way biz ticket up to BKK using an online travel agency which sells insurrance. Hoping that I would be covered if the flight is canceled.. Thai only charges around 4500 a ticket each way and Orbitz $150 each way plus the insurrance and ticket issue fee. I am hoping the insurrance will cover my hefty hotel expenses here if I am stuck

Not think so.
Force Majeure (French for "superior force") is a common clause in contracts which essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as war, strike, riot, crime, act of God (e.g., flooding, earthquake, volcano), prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

[roego]

bubba, on 2008-12-01 12:38:27, said:

"The U.S. embassy in Bangkok said it had asked the Thai foreign ministry to provide "appropriate compensation" to U.S. citizens stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and the older Don Muang airport, a big domestic hub."

http://www.daylife.c...o/01hU1nuf7adHc

You know you have got to admire the absolute efrontery of the USA asking for compensation? WShat about when I was stranded due to strikes in USA no one came arround offering anything.
The " we rule the world" attitude. Rob the pooer, and the USA has done that well throughout the world. Over 70% of the current finacial problems of the moment,stem from a Banrupt country and they still have the cheek to put their hand out.
Sham, shame, shame.

[chrisdom]

PoorSucker, on 2008-12-01 12:57:26, said:

BKKRyan, on 2008-12-01 12:44:49, said:

I've been stuck down in Phuket wanting to get to BKK (Yes it can be done, but not too bad to be here) I wonder how travel insurrance works with this situation. I just dropped an extra hundred bucks on a one way biz ticket up to BKK using an online travel agency which sells insurrance. Hoping that I would be covered if the flight is canceled.. Thai only charges around 4500 a ticket each way and Orbitz $150 each way plus the insurrance and ticket issue fee. I am hoping the insurrance will cover my hefty hotel expenses here if I am stuck

Not think so.
Force Majeure (French for "superior force") is a common clause in contracts which essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as war, strike, riot, crime, act of God (e.g., flooding, earthquake, volcano), prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract.

But surely cannot apply this in retrospect (i.e. it WASN'T the case when you travelled)?
OK OK I know - insurance companies will try anything to avoid their obligations!

[Dudley23]

I met some people from the UK in pattaya yesterday BA will not fly. but no issue getting in and out if you have a decent travel agent.
I flew from OZ Friday now in bangkok. Was a better trip overnight in Phuket overnight in Pattaya what more could you ask

[misterme]

Quote

My daughter is stranded in Phuket - no one (including the Brit Embassy) seems to acknowledge that the problem goes way beyond Bangkok. Looked in vain for info about Phuket - none that I can find! Anyone know more?

Stranded and Phuket are two words that don''t fit together in this situation.

In Phuket, it's life as normal. People are still coming and going. Guesthouses and hotels still having a good rotation of customers. Bars & restaurants operating as the do every other day. Deliveries, offices, shops, are ready for a high season (that may or may not come now), and the various transportation routes are still alive and kicking.

We've had guests bus, boat, and fly in and out in the last week. No flights to BKK that I'm aware of, and air seems low on the prefered choices this week, but anyone here is far from stranded.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for the other countries having to come in and rescue their own citizens, what an embarassment. A huge loss of face for Thailand. The damage is getting worse by the day.

[mr.buffalo]

My friend who is in Pattaya at the moment has been told ( due to fly home Sat 13th Dec ) by the Thai tourist Board if there is still disruption at the airports that he will get 2000baht a day to cover his meals and hotel, that might even pay for a cruise down soi 6 haha, but if they are going to do that for everyone then I wouldn't like to sign that expense receipt.

[animatic]

beerchang, on 2008-12-01 12:08:13, said:

anyone have info on what UK is doing to help Brits stuck here?

to quote on brit friend
" fuc_k all!"

[chrisdom]

misterme, on 2008-12-01 13:12:00, said:

Quote

My daughter is stranded in Phuket - no one (including the Brit Embassy) seems to acknowledge that the problem goes way beyond Bangkok. Looked in vain for info about Phuket - none that I can find! Anyone know more?

Stranded and Phuket are two words that don''t fit together in this situation.

In Phuket, it's life as normal. People are still coming and going. Guesthouses and hotels still having a good rotation of customers. Bars & restaurants operating as the do every other day. Deliveries, offices, shops, are ready for a high season (that may or may not come now), and the various transportation routes are still alive and kicking.

We've had guests bus, boat, and fly in and out in the last week. No flights to BKK that I'm aware of, and air seems low on the prefered choices this week, but anyone here is far from stranded.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for the other countries having to come in and rescue their own citizens, what an embarassment. A huge loss of face for Thailand. The damage is getting worse by the day.

Understand but she is awaiting a flight out to connect with Emirates (in Bkk) and has been told to stay there and await further instructions (by UK travel agents) so for her, she is stuck (or faces huge extra expense to get herself and husband back to UK).
Embassy do not offer any advice. Insurance could (see above) use their "get out" to avoid paying costs. Her job is under threat if she doesn't return soon - and this was her honeymoon!!!
Advice from the Embassy would help! But she is not (technically) stranded I accept.

[frogz]

VocalNeal, on 2008-12-01 12:06:57, said:

I empathize with those pasengers but I wonder why most do not simply get on the train to Penang. Get a bus from there to KL and leave from there.
Is the average tourist that hopeless?

On a different tack I hope the Thai travellers to Mecca managed to get out. Some of them may have saved for years for their one ond only trip of a lifetime.

It does seem strange that passengers haven't worked it out, that they can travel from other places outside Bangkok. Then, maybe, they're not all well seasoned travellers and they're not aware of the options open to them. There's also the cost of buying a new ticket. I believe that airlines are reluctant to offer compensation to stranded passengers?
I'd find out if my flights could be altered when the airport eventually opens and head for the nearest beach until further notice. I'm sure that would be cheaper than travelling to KL and buying a new flight...certainly more relaxing. I can't stand airports at the best of times.

[Dudley23]

The latest advice i received for compensation
Thailand will pay 2,000 baht per day if you can prove you were stranded.
Thai Airways offering 4,000 Baht per day if you can also prove you were stranded and on one of their planes.
4 UK guys contacted there agent yesterday and were eligible for the refund.

[frogz]

christhatcher, on 2008-12-01 13:18:48, said:

misterme, on 2008-12-01 13:12:00, said:

Quote

My daughter is stranded in Phuket - no one (including the Brit Embassy) seems to acknowledge that the problem goes way beyond Bangkok. Looked in vain for info about Phuket - none that I can find! Anyone know more?

Stranded and Phuket are two words that don''t fit together in this situation.

In Phuket, it's life as normal. People are still coming and going. Guesthouses and hotels still having a good rotation of customers. Bars & restaurants operating as the do every other day. Deliveries, offices, shops, are ready for a high season (that may or may not come now), and the various transportation routes are still alive and kicking.

We've had guests bus, boat, and fly in and out in the last week. No flights to BKK that I'm aware of, and air seems low on the prefered choices this week, but anyone here is far from stranded.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As for the other countries having to come in and rescue their own citizens, what an embarassment. A huge loss of face for Thailand. The damage is getting worse by the day.

Understand but she is awaiting a flight out to connect with Emirates (in Bkk) and has been told to stay there and await further instructions (by UK travel agents) so for her, she is stuck (or faces huge extra expense to get herself and husband back to UK).
Embassy do not offer any advice. Insurance could (see above) use their "get out" to avoid paying costs. Her job is under threat if she doesn't return soon - and this was her honeymoon!!!
Advice from the Embassy would help! But she is not (technically) stranded I accept.

I think that it's outrageous that she could be facing the sack for not coming back to work! Don't her employers watch the news? It isn't her fault that she's stuck in Thailand. If they're that keen to get her back, let them pay for her transport to get across land and out of Thailand.
Would they drag someone out of their sick bed too? It sounds as though her employers would! Maybe she could get a better employer.

[ilyushin]

Just came back from Don Muang airport (DMK) air force side and most of the planes are gone. The aircraft were seen as possible targets should force be used to remove the protesters.

Glad to see the planes back in he sky even from Chiang Mai, Utapao and Phuket.

Edited by ilyushin, 2008-12-01 13:36:19.

[awayfoe]

emergency meeting for NATO/OTAN tomorow in brussels (belgium) concerning situation in India and Thailand
on wednesday miss Rice travel in India after the meeting and maybe Thailand


source Belga press / reuter / agence france press

[chrisdom]

Easier said than done!
Yes they COULD pay but do you realistically think they will.
She isn't exactly a high-powered irreplaceable Exec. and doesn't have the resources to do it herself.
Still I suppose she'll never forget her honeymoon and WILL (100% sure) never return to Thailand after this.
She'll also tell her friends - multiply by the 100,000 who have been hit in some way or another and that's a heck of a lot of people who will avoid Thailand in the future.
The damage long-term is incalcuable - a country in despair and soon to be overtaken by Cambodia, Laos, Philippines etc. I suspect.
Time for many here long-term to re-think too I reckon.
Job losses / export collapse / business closures / tourism income slashed and so on. NOT a rosy picture for a country with so much potential.

[waza]

I rang the Aussie embassy, they told me Quantas has emergency flights from U,tappo to Aussie and gave me two numbers to call, one Thai and one Aussie. The Thai one is constantly busy so I rang the Aussie one, a yank answered and told me Quantas is only flying from Phuket and told me I should go there. I replied I am in Ubon and it will take me a few days to get there, but I wont go unless he can guarentee me a flight. He couldnt do that so I remain in Ubon.

Edited by waza, 2008-12-01 13:41:03.

[lazygourmet]

French tourists stranded are manifesting in front of their embassy.
Source: France24

[chrisdom]

Easier said than done!
Yes they COULD pay but do you realistically think they will.
She isn't exactly a high-powered irreplaceable Exec. and doesn't have the resources to do it herself.
Still I suppose she'll never forget her honeymoon and WILL (100% sure) never return to Thailand after this.
She'll also tell her friends - multiply by the 100,000 who have been hit in some way or another and that's a heck of a lot of people who will avoid Thailand in the future.
The damage long-term is incalcuable - a country in despair and soon to be overtaken by Cambodia, Laos, Philippines etc. I suspect.
Time for many here long-term to re-think too I reckon.
Job losses / export collapse / business closures / tourism income slashed and so on. NOT a rosy picture for a country with so much potential.

Edited by christhatcher, 2008-12-01 13:45:58.

[mr.buffalo]

Why would Rice go to Thailand ? Can she fly aeroplanes ? Or just opening her big fat useless gob ? Ban the protesters from using the bogs I say . Toilets for bona fide passengers only !

[rockhardbkk]

roego, on 2008-12-01 13:02:54, said:

bubba, on 2008-12-01 12:38:27, said:

"The U.S. embassy in Bangkok said it had asked the Thai foreign ministry to provide "appropriate compensation" to U.S. citizens stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and the older Don Muang airport, a big domestic hub."

http://www.daylife.c...o/01hU1nuf7adHc

You know you have got to admire the absolute efrontery of the USA asking for compensation? WShat about when I was stranded due to strikes in USA no one came arround offering anything.
The " we rule the world" attitude. Rob the pooer, and the USA has done that well throughout the world. Over 70% of the current finacial problems of the moment,stem from a Banrupt country and they still have the cheek to put their hand out.
Sham, shame, shame.

First - learn how to spell BANKRUPT!

Second - No one from the US ever offers anything to other countries, do they? Think again pal.

70% of the world's financial problems don't stem from the US - pull your head out of your behind.

Blame it all on the U.S. Shame, shame, shame on you pal -***no flaming***

Edited by sbk, 2008-12-01 14:46:17.

[bartender100]

VocalNeal, on 2008-12-01 12:06:57, said:

I empathize with those pasengers but I wonder why most do not simply get on the train to Penang. Get a bus from there to KL and leave from there.
Is the average tourist that hopeless?

On a different tack I hope the Thai travellers to Mecca managed to get out. Some of them may have saved for years for their one ond only trip of a lifetime.

Have you actually tried to book a train south, full up till at least the 8th December, sorry.Got any other simple ideas?

No way am i going to bus it all that way, but i think getting a seat might be a problem as well.

I have thought about chartering one of the six seaters they run to the borders if i could find 5 others that want to go to KL, i will ask around today to see if i can get a price

[mr.buffalo]

When the French and Spanish air traffic controllers decide to throw their toys out the pram can't remember who pays the compo bill for those spats.

[chrisdom]

rockhardbkk, on 2008-12-01 13:52:58, said:

roego, on 2008-12-01 13:02:54, said:

bubba, on 2008-12-01 12:38:27, said:

"The U.S. embassy in Bangkok said it had asked the Thai foreign ministry to provide "appropriate compensation" to U.S. citizens stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and the older Don Muang airport, a big domestic hub."

http://www.daylife.c...o/01hU1nuf7adHc

You know you have got to admire the absolute efrontery of the USA asking for compensation? WShat about when I was stranded due to strikes in USA no one came arround offering anything.
The " we rule the world" attitude. Rob the pooer, and the USA has done that well throughout the world. Over 70% of the current finacial problems of the moment,stem from a Banrupt country and they still have the cheek to put their hand out.
Sham, shame, shame.

First - learn how to spell BANKRUPT!

Second - No one from the US ever offers anything to other countries, do they? Think again pal.

70% of the world's financial problems don't stem from the US - pull your head out of your behind.

Blame it all on the U.S. Shame, shame, shame on you pal

You know I haven't used this site for ages - and yet again this reminds me why!
He IS entitled to his opinion (and you to yours) but you are the lesser person (I would say moron but why would I bother?) for your attack on him for a spelling error and an opinion that isn't yours.
Not one of us here has the right to claim total superiority over the opinions of others (and that - believe or not - includes you).
Whatever you THINK is correct - correct with facts and information - not personal attacks and leave him with his right to have a different opinion without a petty attacks PLEASE!

Checked for spelling but I am not perfect and am typing too quickly to guarantee every word!

[benw10]

VocalNeal, on 2008-12-01 06:06:57, said:

I empathize with those pasengers but I wonder why most do not simply get on the train to Penang. Get a bus from there to KL and leave from there.
Is the average tourist that hopeless?

On a different tack I hope the Thai travellers to Mecca managed to get out. Some of them may have saved for years for their one ond only trip of a lifetime.

trains . busses, min vans packed to the gills, no most tourists are not that stupid!