Thailand Travel Update 03/12/2008
End of the Airport Blockage and a Timeline for Normal Services to Resume
BANGKOK, Thailand (Todaytravelasia.com) December 3, 2008 -- After a crippling 8 day blockage of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Thai International Airports the anti-Government PAD protesters have started to leave and the outlook for stranded passengers is now looking more positive.
Initial reports indicated that the airport would not resume operations until 15th December but now reports are coming in from AOT (Airports of Thailand) that the Suvarnabhumi may be partially opened Friday 5th in time for the King of Thailand’s’ birthday. In the meantime security and other systems will be checked by the AOT. Piecemeal freight flights resumed yesterday evening.
The anti-government protesters, PAD are now starting to leave both airports in their hundreds. Claiming to have won their "final battle", the government opponents agreed to make their exit after the Constitution Court disbanded the People Power Party and two other government coalition partners - automatically dismissing Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister in the process.
To clear the backlog estimates of two to three weeks have been quoted although this is totally dependent on the speed it takes to resume normal service. This will take us up to the Peak Christmas period. Further information will be forwarded onto you as soon as we have clarification from TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) and AOT.
In the meantime the situation remains the same as yesterday. There is one exception, that there is likely to be some disruption to flights leaving U-Tapao (temporary airport) as equipment borrowed from Suvarnabhumi to improve airport efficiency has now to be returned to the main international airport.
Exit Options
Travelers transiting or travelling from Bangkok have been hit and are unable to exit via Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang International Airports. However, Travelers entering or exiting the country via Phuket International Airport have been able to enter and exit the country as normal. All flights exiting Thailand via Phuket are now fully booked for at least the next two weeks. Many airlines are now diverting into:
- U-Tapao (Bangkok)
- Chiang Mai
- Phuket
- Kuala Lumpa, Malaysia
Please note
- U-Tapao is a small regional airport 1/10 of the size of Suvarnabhumi. It does not have the infrastructure to manage large numbers of passengers. It is located 2 hours from Bangkok.
- Kuala Lumpa International Airport is a 12 hour bus journey and is only open to passengers who possess a valid Visa or are exempt from requiring a Visa to travel into Malaysia.
- Travel to Chiang Mai or Phuket involves a 8-10 hour coach journey
Check-In
The authorities are urging individual tourists / travellers to refrain from attempting to check-in at various airports, or designated in town check-in centres in hotels on their own prior to receiving official notification or flight confirmation from airline representatives. This will help to minimize confusion and delays at the airport. For travellers in Bangkok, the Tourist Authority of Thailand has recommended that travelers check-in at the offices of the airline concerned. We are getting reports of significant delays at airline office locations with stories of passengers waiting longer than 10-12 hours to check-in at Thai travel desks.
Thai Airways – Special Non-Scheduled Exit Flights
TG is beginning a special exit strategy for stranded tourists from U-Tapao. 35 Thai Special Non-Scheduled Flights will be available for Thai passengers. Scheduled Thai tickets can be exchanged for tickets to one of the Special flight destinations.
Key points to note:
- The flight destinations are limited
- Thai will not pay for onward flights to original (as listed in ticket) destinations – ie at time of writing a London destination is not available. Passengers flying to London have a choice of taking a Special flight to Europe and then paying themselves for a connecting flight to the UK)
- Thai cannot guarantee that ticket classes will be honored (ie if you booked Silk Class you may have to travel back in economy depending on availability)
- All flights will leave from U-Tapao Airport
- THAI requests passengers with confirmed reservations, departing from U-Tapao to check-in at BITEC Exhibition and Convention Center, Bang-Na, seven (7) hours prior to their flight departure.
- THAI will provide transportation between BITEC and U-Tapao Airport.
For further detail regarding these flights please see:
www.thaiair.com/Homepage/announce/sbia_situation.htm
For an application and waver form please download the attached pdf.
All other airlines are running a piecemeal schedule from U-Tapao. Please see individual Airlines for more details.
Please check our website www.todaytravelasia.com for further information.
Should we be able to assist you further please contact us directly on inquire@todaytravelasia.com.
Links:
Today Travel Asia on the BBC News December 2nd 2008
