Thailand Fact sheet
SITUATION UPDATE
Temporary Closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport
As of November 27, 2008 / 15.00 hrs. (Bangkok Time)
November 26, 2008 / 22.00 hrs.
Addressing the Kingdom from Chiang Mai in a broadcast on all TV channels, H.E. Mr. Somchai Wongsawat, the Prime Minister, condemned the seizure of the airport, calling it illegal, undemocratic and a threat to the well-being of the country. He vowed to convene an urgent Cabinet meeting on November 27, 2008, to discuss measures that could bring the situation back to normal.
November 27, 2008 / 10.00 hrs.
Don Mueang International Airport suspended operations since 01.00 hrs. This led to the cancellation of all domestic flights.
For security reasons, Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been closed as from Tuesday, November 25, 21.00 hrs. until now. All inbound and outbound flights from the airport have been cancelled.
Chiang Mai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Rai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Khon Kaen Airport, Krabi Airport, Phitsanulok Airport, Samui Airport, Sukhothai Airport, Surat Thani Airport, Ubon Ratchathani Airport, and Udon Thani International Airport
are all operating normally.
There has been no declaration of a State of Emergency.
TAT is cooperating with the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), AoT, and Thai Airways (TG) to set up a Crisis Networking Centre on the fourth floor of the Departure Terminal in Suvarnabhumi International Airport in order to facilitate the stranded passengers and tourists until the airport resumes normal operations.
The 35 TAT local offices have been told to facilitate tourists travelling at the various tourist destinations in Thailand, as well as those who are waiting for flights at provincial airports.
TAT in cooperation with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and Association of Thai Travel Agents (THA) transferred the remaining stranded passengers to the following hotels:
1. Regent Suvarnabhumi Hotel
Address: 30/1 – 32/1 Soi Ladkrabung 22, Ladkrabung District, Bangkok 10520
Tel: 02-326-7138-43
Contact person: Khun Pitchaya (Tel: 081-255-4833)
2. Twin Towers Hotel
Address: 88 New Rama 6 Rd. Rongmuang, Pratumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02-216-9555-6
Contact person: Khun Nalinee (Tel: 085-075-9998)
Khun Watchirachai (Tel: 081-831-5554)
3. Ibis Hotel
Address: 5 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 15, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., Bangkok 10240
Tel: 02-308-7888
Contact person: Khun Duangkamol (Tel: 089-892-4851)
4. Eastin Hotel
Address: 1091/343 New Petchburi Road, Makkasan, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-651-7600
E-mail
[email protected]
5. The Centric Ratchada
Address: 502/29 Soi Yuchroen, Asoke-Dindaeng Road, Dindang, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-246-0909
E-mail
[email protected]
6. Ambassador Hotel Bangkok
Address: 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02-254-0444
E-mail
[email protected]
Besides the above, the Rose Garden Riverside Hotel at Petchkasem Road, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom (Tel: +66 34-322-544, +66 34-322-545, +66 34-322-588) has announced welcoming the stranded passengers stay with the hotel during 26-27 November, 2008. Also, the Hotel Sofitel Central Grand Bangkok at Phaholyothin Road has been welcoming their guests, who just checked out from the hotel and could not fly to their home country due to the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, back to the hotel without any charge.
On the basis of assistance, TAT has provided accommodation and meals, as well as facilitated tourists as much as possible until they are able to return home. For more information regarding accommodation, please contact the Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Management Centre (TIC) – Tel. 02-253-5500 / 02-253-8844 / 02-652-8313, or Fax 02-652-8315.
THAI has provided accommodation for passengers who were unable to travel from Bangkok to 15 hotels including The Emerald, Indra Regent, Rama Garden, Ambassador, Amari Airport, Radisson, Amari Atrium, Fortune, Amari Boulevard. For further information on flight schedules, reservations and latest updates during this period, passengers may contact THAI’s Contact Centre at Tel. 02-545-3181, 02-356-1111, or 02-545-4000 or visit
www.thaiairways.com.
Since operations at the airport have not yet been resumed, for more information on other flights, please contact the following numbers:
o Don Mueang Airport 02-535-1669 / 02-535-1616
Public Relations 02-535-1253
Bangkok Airways 02-265-5678
www.bangkokairways.com
Hot Line Bangkok Airways 1771
Nok Air 02-627-2000
Air Asia 02-515-9999
www.airasia.com
PB Air 02-261-0220-5
www.pbair.com
o Suvarnabhumi International Airport 02-132-1888 / 02-132-1882
Flight Information 02-132-000 / 02-132-9328-9
Security Centre 02-132-4310 / 02-132-4000
02-535-1669
o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Emergency Centre (24 Hours) 02-643-5522
Fax 02-643-5521
o Hot Line Tourist Police 1155
International Public Relations Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Fax: 66 253 7419 E-mail:
[email protected]
