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THAI launches flights for stranded passengers

by Mary Richard | November 29, 2008 at 04:52 pm

300 views | 19 Recommendations | 3 comments

Update November 30, 2008 3:30am EST:

With the only available airport badly congested and train tickets to Malaysia sold out until Dec 10, stranded foreigners are running out of patience and cash as they chase any means to return home.

There are only 48 flights scheduled Sunday at the Utapao Airport near Pattaya, up from 18 Saturday, but hardly comparable to the 400 flights daily at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which has been closed down by thousands of protesters along with the Don Muang airport catering for domestic routes.

The lack of seats is causing massive problems for airlines with over 100,000 stranded passengers to deal with, which could rise to over 300,000 in the next few days if the airports saga continues.

Even private jets are being sought by wealthy foreigners, with many flying to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

See full story here.

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I've found this, dated late yesterday. I don't know how legitimate the source is .... but it sure does sound like good news!

Thai Airways International (THAI) launches flights to transport stranded passengers back to their home country.

Transport Minister Santi Phrompat disclosed that the ministry had requested the airport of the Royal Thai Naval Air Division 6th and the U-tapao Airport to urgently arrange flights for the stranded passengers affected by the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The first light to arrive at U-tapao Airport at 16.00 hrs today (November 29th) is from Denmark and the second flight to Narita International Airport is scheduled to depart from U-tapao at 22.30 hrs. There are also other flights to Hong Kong and Macau today. At the airport of the Royal Thai Naval Air Division 6th, the first flight is scheduled at 16.00 hrs to Hong Kong.

Japan and Spain have contacted the government to send aircrafts to U-tapao and the Naval airport to transport the passengers especially the businessmen. The government has also cooperated with the neighboring countries in transferring the passengers.

See "Man demands help for seniors stuck in Thailand"

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Amy Judd

at 16:58 on November 29th, 2008

I found this information too:

Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have arranged for several flights today to “rescue” stranded passengers.

MAS is sending three flights to U-Tapao airport for passengers unable to reach the Suvarnabhumi Inter–national Airport.

It is seeking clearance to operate a fourth flight late in the evening.

In addition to the flights, the national carrier is operating two flights out of Phuket.

Mary Richard

at 17:07 on November 29th, 2008

Sounds like they're trying to get people out, slowly but surely, via another airport ...

gerrypopplestone

at 18:39 on November 29th, 2008

It is only a poor stopgap solution though! The airport can only deal with 400 people: it is miniscule. It has two desks and two scanners for luggage. Sadly, also, people with loasdsofmoney are going there paying huge sums for private jets. Yesterday an Iranian plane took a group of Muslims to the Haj in Saudi Arabia.