Bangkok Airport(Suvarnabhumi) Closed by Protesters
Nov 25th, 2008, 05:21 PM
#21
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Many thanks, Hanuman, for your numerous fine updates. (Just between us: you are my #3 Fodorite, behind a certain '06 Thai wed 'Bella' (timing issues) ... and yes, that HK lawyer 'C' ... (something to do with her praise of SQ's latest J product, something rather dear to a certain semi-Singaporean.) ...
... (and for you little 'nervous nellies' out there: check out 'tripadvisors's' thailand forum, and a certain search bar search of 'macintosh Our Fine SQ F Flight Today' ... as recall, not that much traffic, out to dear ol' 'DMK' post 'coup' the morning of our BKK honeymoon departure, on to SIN for the final act ...
... finally, back to you, monkey god ... hope your daughter stays safe...
... (one reason the SQ wife is insisting the future Cost Centres be raised/educated in 'SIN' and holiday in Scotland ... (there goes the bank account) ...
... as always, safe travels to you ... (perhaps, SQ) ...
macintosh (robert)
meet the new boss/
same as the old boss/
(Who)
Nov 25th, 2008, 09:06 PM
#27
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Here's a visual that will bring it home to everybody that has been to Suvanabhumi.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/we...491584334.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/we...491584334.html
Nov 25th, 2008, 10:15 PM
#28
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With most foreign carriers canceling all flights to BKK, it's actually those who're flying TG that have the best chance of getting into Thailand.
For example, TG795, the non-stop from LAX had just departed Los Angeles pretty much on-time; with the flight currently filed for DMK (Don Muang).
We'll see in about 16 hours what actually will happen to this flight.
For example, TG795, the non-stop from LAX had just departed Los Angeles pretty much on-time; with the flight currently filed for DMK (Don Muang).
We'll see in about 16 hours what actually will happen to this flight.
Nov 25th, 2008, 10:26 PM
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Due to the closure of Bangkok's international airport by the stupid PAD group. Alternative transport options are available.
Bus and train options are available subject to space for passengers in a hurry to leave Thailand. Onward flights can be obtained in Malaysia though various airlines.
SRT rail: Trains depart hualamphong visit www.thailandrailway.com OR www.railway.go.th for more details or call 1690 if in thailand for rail information.
Transport company Buses are also available from new southern bus terminal "SAI TAI MAI" in thonburi side of Bangkok. Tickets can be purchased at the time of travel.
Travelling time is around 18 hours trains depart Hualamphong at 14.45 (Butterworth) and 15.10 (sungai kolok) 13.00 (sungai kolok) every day.
2nd class sleeper 1210 baht oneway. Other classes are available.
Trains from Butterworth depart 13.15 to Bangkok
Trains from Sungai Kolok depart 11.30 and 14.20
At Sungai Kolok its about 2km to malaysia border where other transport is available to Kota Bhuru airport.
At Butterworth take a boat to Penang island and a bus to Penang airport where onward flights are available. OR take a bus to KL (about 5 hours)
Tickets can be purchased at Hualamphong and bang sue stations on the day or in advance.
If the train is booked out and you still want to travel standing 3rd class tickets are available on the sungai kolok trains. Otherwise take a VIP bus.
If the train is full buses to hat yai depart every hour until 9pm from southern bus terminal taking about 18 hours to get there. take bus 511 to end of the line or a cab to SAI TAI MAI in outer thonburi. From Hatyai there are vans and buses into malaysia.
For general information about thai buses and rail please visit http://thaitransit.blogspot.com and check the links at the bottom of the main page for related topics.
I hope this might help some stuck passengers.
Bus and train options are available subject to space for passengers in a hurry to leave Thailand. Onward flights can be obtained in Malaysia though various airlines.
SRT rail: Trains depart hualamphong visit www.thailandrailway.com OR www.railway.go.th for more details or call 1690 if in thailand for rail information.
Transport company Buses are also available from new southern bus terminal "SAI TAI MAI" in thonburi side of Bangkok. Tickets can be purchased at the time of travel.
Travelling time is around 18 hours trains depart Hualamphong at 14.45 (Butterworth) and 15.10 (sungai kolok) 13.00 (sungai kolok) every day.
2nd class sleeper 1210 baht oneway. Other classes are available.
Trains from Butterworth depart 13.15 to Bangkok
Trains from Sungai Kolok depart 11.30 and 14.20
At Sungai Kolok its about 2km to malaysia border where other transport is available to Kota Bhuru airport.
At Butterworth take a boat to Penang island and a bus to Penang airport where onward flights are available. OR take a bus to KL (about 5 hours)
Tickets can be purchased at Hualamphong and bang sue stations on the day or in advance.
If the train is booked out and you still want to travel standing 3rd class tickets are available on the sungai kolok trains. Otherwise take a VIP bus.
If the train is full buses to hat yai depart every hour until 9pm from southern bus terminal taking about 18 hours to get there. take bus 511 to end of the line or a cab to SAI TAI MAI in outer thonburi. From Hatyai there are vans and buses into malaysia.
For general information about thai buses and rail please visit http://thaitransit.blogspot.com and check the links at the bottom of the main page for related topics.
I hope this might help some stuck passengers.
Nov 25th, 2008, 11:29 PM
#30
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I want to scream!!! I had to cancel my August BK trip and have really been waiting for this upcoming trip scheduled to leave in 3 weeks.
I have my usual serviced apartment lined up and while there have plans to meet up with Thai friends as well as our GTG. But, if things don't chill out within the next 10-12 days, then I'll cancel. I absolutely can't risk getting STUCK there. I have to be back to work the day after I get home. Happy Travels!
I have my usual serviced apartment lined up and while there have plans to meet up with Thai friends as well as our GTG. But, if things don't chill out within the next 10-12 days, then I'll cancel. I absolutely can't risk getting STUCK there. I have to be back to work the day after I get home. Happy Travels!
Nov 26th, 2008, 12:21 AM
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Nov 26th, 2008, 12:29 AM
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Let's give some thought to the guys stuck inside. It could be any one of us. This, from the BBC website.
'There have been chaotic scenes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, where thousands of tourists are stranded by anti-government protests. Demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have seized the facility in the latest move in months of protests.
Tourists have said they are running out of water and children's food supplies. Correspondents say there is utter confusion and travellers have received no clear information.
Rachel Kite, one of at least 3,000 tourists at the airport, told the BBC that many people had been waiting for up to 16 hours.
I'm angry and sad, because I have two small children - they are sick, so we want to go home
"We've not been told anything by the airport authorities or by the poor staff of Thai airlines, who are completely overwhelmed," she said. All of the information has been coming from the internet and from the BBC and other cable news channels."
Ms Kite said she did not feel she was in danger, but that people were becoming "more and more tense" as the noise from protesters increased. She said people were getting tired and some families with young children were running out of formula and food for them.
"I think the authorities are doing the best they can but inevitably tensions start to rise," she added.
"I don't know what happened to my flight," said one mother.
"They won't talk to us. And I'm angry and sad, because I have two small children. They are sick, so we want to go home."
Protesters say they will not leave unless Mr Somchai resigns
Thousands of PAD protesters, dressed in yellow, stormed the airport, having earlier blocked the main access highway from the capital.
They have also seized the airport's control tower and have demanded that all incoming flights request their permission to land.
Travellers say the PAD have been treating them well but flights are not expected to resume in the immediate future.
"We'd rather they just go home so we can go home,", said US tourist Kay Spitler.
British tourist Harry Bedford said people had initially been told not to leave the airport and that if they did they would not be given any assistance and would not be allowed to return.
"At the moment I'm in the executive lounge, which has been taken over by about a hundred people, who are refusing to leave this area, though the authorities want us to go downstairs and sit on marble floors," Mr Bedford told the BBC.
"They've turned the air-conditioning off here, and changed all the TV channels to show gardening. So we've got no idea what's going on outside," he said.
But Mr Bedford later told the BBC that people were being taken out of the airport.
"We've got no idea what's happening. Basically they've told us we're leaving the airport and they're going to be putting military in and to patrol it," he said.
"We've heard nothing from our embassy - we keep on ringing them in Bangkok and we wanted to say we thought we were safer here than outside. But they've chucked us out of the airport."
"This is crazy," said one traveller arriving from the UK. "I don't know why this is happening. It's really crazy. What can you do?"
'There have been chaotic scenes at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, where thousands of tourists are stranded by anti-government protests. Demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have seized the facility in the latest move in months of protests.
Tourists have said they are running out of water and children's food supplies. Correspondents say there is utter confusion and travellers have received no clear information.
Rachel Kite, one of at least 3,000 tourists at the airport, told the BBC that many people had been waiting for up to 16 hours.
I'm angry and sad, because I have two small children - they are sick, so we want to go home
"We've not been told anything by the airport authorities or by the poor staff of Thai airlines, who are completely overwhelmed," she said. All of the information has been coming from the internet and from the BBC and other cable news channels."
Ms Kite said she did not feel she was in danger, but that people were becoming "more and more tense" as the noise from protesters increased. She said people were getting tired and some families with young children were running out of formula and food for them.
"I think the authorities are doing the best they can but inevitably tensions start to rise," she added.
"I don't know what happened to my flight," said one mother.
"They won't talk to us. And I'm angry and sad, because I have two small children. They are sick, so we want to go home."
Protesters say they will not leave unless Mr Somchai resigns
Thousands of PAD protesters, dressed in yellow, stormed the airport, having earlier blocked the main access highway from the capital.
They have also seized the airport's control tower and have demanded that all incoming flights request their permission to land.
Travellers say the PAD have been treating them well but flights are not expected to resume in the immediate future.
"We'd rather they just go home so we can go home,", said US tourist Kay Spitler.
British tourist Harry Bedford said people had initially been told not to leave the airport and that if they did they would not be given any assistance and would not be allowed to return.
"At the moment I'm in the executive lounge, which has been taken over by about a hundred people, who are refusing to leave this area, though the authorities want us to go downstairs and sit on marble floors," Mr Bedford told the BBC.
"They've turned the air-conditioning off here, and changed all the TV channels to show gardening. So we've got no idea what's going on outside," he said.
But Mr Bedford later told the BBC that people were being taken out of the airport.
"We've got no idea what's happening. Basically they've told us we're leaving the airport and they're going to be putting military in and to patrol it," he said.
"We've heard nothing from our embassy - we keep on ringing them in Bangkok and we wanted to say we thought we were safer here than outside. But they've chucked us out of the airport."
"This is crazy," said one traveller arriving from the UK. "I don't know why this is happening. It's really crazy. What can you do?"
Nov 26th, 2008, 02:55 AM
#33
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The PM has landed in Chiang Mai and the commander in chief of the Thai army has "offered" his suggestion that the PM should dissolve the house of parliament. Both side have disagreed with the CIC's comment and both side are not giving in.
People who are still stuck at Suvarnabhumi, estimated at 3,000, are being transported out to hotels. One thing you should know is that they, the people caught at the airport during the protest, were never held there and were free to leave at any time. Lack of information from the airlines or the authorities probably prevented them from leaving.
People who are still stuck at Suvarnabhumi, estimated at 3,000, are being transported out to hotels. One thing you should know is that they, the people caught at the airport during the protest, were never held there and were free to leave at any time. Lack of information from the airlines or the authorities probably prevented them from leaving.
Nov 26th, 2008, 05:47 AM
#34
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Wow, I can't believe how quickly this situation has escalated.
We are suppose to depart for BKK on Friday and arrive late Saturday. Is it safe to assume that we will need to cancel our trip?
I'm really kicking myself for not buying trip insurance this time....
We were also planning to visit Cambodia for a few days during our trip. Ponheary said this situation is really hurting Cambodia as well.
We are suppose to depart for BKK on Friday and arrive late Saturday. Is it safe to assume that we will need to cancel our trip?
I'm really kicking myself for not buying trip insurance this time....
We were also planning to visit Cambodia for a few days during our trip. Ponheary said this situation is really hurting Cambodia as well.
Nov 26th, 2008, 05:50 AM
#36
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guenmai
I'm with you... I'm leaving in three weeks. DS and DH leave in two weeks. We are not wanting to cancel!!! Will be watching this situation closely. Thank you, to hanuman, for keeping us informed with up to date information. Please continue to do so.
Carol (from Kassel Germany)
I'm with you... I'm leaving in three weeks. DS and DH leave in two weeks. We are not wanting to cancel!!! Will be watching this situation closely. Thank you, to hanuman, for keeping us informed with up to date information. Please continue to do so.
Carol (from Kassel Germany)
Nov 26th, 2008, 05:55 AM
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Mars, if it was my trip, I would cancel nothing and just wait and see.
Also, depending on your airline, they may be diverting to another city or you might be able to change to a flight to another city. If it were me, I might take the flight to the city to which they are diverting planes and play it by ear from there.
Also, depending on your airline, they may be diverting to another city or you might be able to change to a flight to another city. If it were me, I might take the flight to the city to which they are diverting planes and play it by ear from there.
Nov 26th, 2008, 06:50 AM
#38
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To keep up with the latest news, the best sources of information are the 2 major English-language newspapers, The Nation (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/) and the Bangkok Post (http://www.bangkokpost.com/). Not that everything they report is absolute truth, but, at this point anyway, they are the best available sources.
I agree completely with Kathie's advice that the wisest thing to do is wait and see. While no one knows for certain what the outcome will be, it's likely that the situation 3 days from now will be very different from the situation today (at least in terms of the airport).
For those with flights scheduled for the next few days, I'd advise checking the web page of the airline that operates the flight to BKK -- that will likely give you more current and accurate information than even the telephone agents. (This is especially true if you're flying an Asian airline into BKK and you live outside of Asia.)
I agree completely with Kathie's advice that the wisest thing to do is wait and see. While no one knows for certain what the outcome will be, it's likely that the situation 3 days from now will be very different from the situation today (at least in terms of the airport).
For those with flights scheduled for the next few days, I'd advise checking the web page of the airline that operates the flight to BKK -- that will likely give you more current and accurate information than even the telephone agents. (This is especially true if you're flying an Asian airline into BKK and you live outside of Asia.)
Nov 26th, 2008, 07:10 AM
#39
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If you're flying NW, currently covering 12/1:
http://nwa.com/features/weather.shtml
[Yes, that's the correct URL.]
UA, covering 12/7:
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52925,00.html
CX already canceled the early HKG-BKK on Thursday, 11/27; and the BOM flight will not stop at BKK. You can check the status here:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/specialupdates
SQ will let passengers change for travel up to 12/7 right now:
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/Util...up.jsp?msgId=2
Just a sample of information available from the airlines.
Again, I think if the best chance of getting into Bangkok in the next few days will be on Thai Airways.
http://nwa.com/features/weather.shtml
[Yes, that's the correct URL.]
UA, covering 12/7:
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52925,00.html
CX already canceled the early HKG-BKK on Thursday, 11/27; and the BOM flight will not stop at BKK. You can check the status here:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/specialupdates
SQ will let passengers change for travel up to 12/7 right now:
http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/Util...up.jsp?msgId=2
Just a sample of information available from the airlines.
Again, I think if the best chance of getting into Bangkok in the next few days will be on Thai Airways.
Nov 26th, 2008, 07:19 AM
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I so appreciate all the updates and feel very sorry for those stranded at the airports.
Our Son and Daughter are in Cambodia at the moment and due to return to BKK tomorrow where they will stay for two days before flying back to the US. They are not sure what to do - and are looking into by-passing BKK and trying to get home departing from Cambodia.
Additionally, dh and I are due to arrive in BKK on Jan 2nd and I too am kicking myself for not buying trip cancellation insurance.We are staying a week at the Riverside marriott and then two weeks at the Phuket Marriott Beach Club.
Fodors talk has been so helpful to me in the past for our bi-annual visits to Thailand, and I'll be keeping a close watch on what's happening as I know you will have the most up-to-date information and will help me in deciding what to advise our son and daughter to do, and, whether to just hang in there for a couple of weeks regarding our long awaited trip to BKK and Phuket.
Hoping for the best, some peace and calm for the land of smiles.
Sue
Our Son and Daughter are in Cambodia at the moment and due to return to BKK tomorrow where they will stay for two days before flying back to the US. They are not sure what to do - and are looking into by-passing BKK and trying to get home departing from Cambodia.
Additionally, dh and I are due to arrive in BKK on Jan 2nd and I too am kicking myself for not buying trip cancellation insurance.We are staying a week at the Riverside marriott and then two weeks at the Phuket Marriott Beach Club.
Fodors talk has been so helpful to me in the past for our bi-annual visits to Thailand, and I'll be keeping a close watch on what's happening as I know you will have the most up-to-date information and will help me in deciding what to advise our son and daughter to do, and, whether to just hang in there for a couple of weeks regarding our long awaited trip to BKK and Phuket.
Hoping for the best, some peace and calm for the land of smiles.
Sue
