Brits stranded as Bangkok airport closed

[November 26th 2008]

Hundreds of British passengers are stranded at Bangkok airport as anti-government protestors have forced all flights in and out of the airport to be cancelled.

British Airways, which flies from Heathrow to Bangkok, says today’s flight BA009 will call at Singapore rather than Bangkok. The airline is advising passengers that wish to travel to Bangkok that they will have to make their own arrangements to travel from Singapore to Bangkok and will have to do so at their own expense.

Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok was closed at 9pm local time yesterday. Protestors belonging to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have taken control of the airport and have said they will not leave until the Thai Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, resigns.

Four small bombs exploded in various areas of Bangkok, including in the vicinity of Suvarnabhumi airport and Don Muang domestic airport, early this morning. Two people are reported to have been injured in the explosion at Suvarnabhumi airport.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises: “There is a high threat from terrorism in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers”.

The PAD has accused the Thai Prime Minister of being a puppet of his brother-in-law, the deposed former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Shinawatra came to Britain after a military coup in Thailand and for a time was the owner of Manchester City football club.

The Thai army has asked the protestors to withdraw from the airport but at present there seems to be a stalemate. The army chief General Anupong Paochinda has called for a new election to attempt to solve the crisis.

According to the FCO Website some British passengers have already passed through immigration control at the airport and are now stuck in a no man’s land. There are also fears that essential supplies including food and water may run out at the airport.

People wanting to find out more about the current situation or about passengers stranded at the airport are advised to contact the relevant airline. The British Embassy in Bangkok can be called on +66 (0) 2 305 8333.

British Airways says it still plans to fly from Heathrow to Bangkok tomorrow but adds the situation is under constant review. Thai Airways and Qantas also operate flights from Heathrow to Bangkok.

Written by: Nick Purdom

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