Empty Planes Fly Out of Bangkok Airport

by Jon Azpiri | November 30, 2008 at 10:05 pm

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Thai authorities have a struck a deal with protesters that has allowed approximately 40 airplanes to fly out of Bangkok's international airport.

The empty planes were flown to other Thai airports in the hopes of helping travelers who have not been able to leave the Southeast Asian country. An estimated 100,000 tourists have been stranded in Thailand due to mass protests organized by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The unrest has damaged Thailand's economy and its relationship with foreign countries who are working to have their citizens fly back home. Some travelers are managing to leave the country via other ares of Thailand.

With thousands of British citizens among the estimated 100,000 travellers, a spokesman for the UK's Foreign Office said: "Bangkok's two main airports remain closed but airlines have been able to arrange flights and transfers to and from alternative airports.

"Some British nationals have been able to fly out but not in the necessary numbers.

"We have continued our consultations with airlines and Thai authorities...and action is being stepped up to enable people to travel in greater numbers, for example via Chiang Mai."