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TOURISM SITUATION IN THAILAND
As of November 27, 2008 / 20.30 hrs. (Bangkok Time)
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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. |
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The Royal Thai Government has announced that the welfare and safety of all foreign visitors is a top government priority. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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There has been no declaration of a State of Emergency. |
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TAT has been working in close cooperation 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. |
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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.
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The Ministry of Tourism and Sports in cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) and Thai Hotels Association (THA) transferred the remaining stranded passengers to the following hotels:
- 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)
- 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)
- Ibis Hotel
Address: 5 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 15, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., Bangkok 10240
Tel: 02-308-7888
Contact person: Khun Duangkamol (Tel: 089-892-4851)
- Eastin Hotel
Address: 1091/343 New Petchburi Road, Makkasan, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-651-7600
E-mail: info@eastinbangkokhotel.com
- The Centric Ratchada
Address: 502/29 Soi Yuchroen, Asoke-Dindaeng Road, Dindang, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-246-0909
E-mail: info@centricratchada.com
- Ambassador Hotel Bangkok
Address: 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02-254-0444
E-mail: info@amtel.com
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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 that the riverside property welcomes stranded passengers wishing to stay with the hotel during 26-27 November 2008.
Also, the Hotel Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok at Phaholyothin Road has been welcoming back to the hotel, without charge, guests who have just checked-out from the hotel and have not been able to fly back to their home country due to the temporary closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
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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 Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) (Tel: +66 2 237- 6064 – 8, +66 2 632-7400 – 2, website: www.atta.or.th; e-mail: info@atta.or.th.) |
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Other hotlines:
- 1552: Thai Hotels Association
- 1414: Ministry of Tourism and Sports
- 1672: Tourism Authority of Thailand
- 1155: Tourist Police
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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.
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November 27, 2008 / 15.30 hrs.
THAI has opened the following flights from Phuket International Airport:
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TG 628 |
Nov. 27, 08 Phuket 20.00 – Hong Kong Nov. 28, 08 00.30 – Hong Kong 01.30 – Seoul 06.00 (connecting flight) |
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TG 920 |
Nov. 27, 08 Phuket 23.40 – Frankfurt Nov. 28, 05.30 |
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TG 8546 |
Nov. 27, 08 Phuket 20.05 – Singapore 22.45 |
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TG 8547 |
Nov. 28, 08 Phuket 01.25 – U-Tapao 02.40 |
Passengers must already have a booking with TG; for example, passengers who are travelling Phuket – Bangkok – Frankfurt can fly directly from Phuket – Frankfurt with TG 920.
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Re: visa, for any tourist whose visa has expired since 26 November, 2008, till the airport reopens, there will be no penalty or charge for overstay from the Immigration Bureau. However, tourists must show their original tickets, so they are not charged. |
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Since operations at the airport have not yet been resumed, for more information on other flights, please contact the following numbers:
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Don Mueang Airport |
02-535-1669 / 02-535-1616 |
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 Public Relations |
02-535-1253 |
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Bangkok Airways |
02-265-5678
www.bangkokairways.com |
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Bangkok Airways |
Hotline 1771 |
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Air Asia |
02-515-9999
www.airasia.com |
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PB Air |
02-261-0220-5
www.pbair.com |
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Suvarnabhumi International Airport |
02-132-1888 / 02-132-1882 |
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Flight Information |
02-132-000 / 02-132-9328-9 |
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Security Centre |
02-132-4310 / 02-132-4000
02-535-1669 |
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Chiang Mai International Airport |
053-922-100 / 053-922-444 |
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
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Emergency Center (24 Hours) |
02-643-5522 |
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Fax |
02-643-5521 |
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Tourist Police Hotline
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1155 |
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November 27, 2008 / 17.45 hrs.
Thai aviation authorities gave airlines the green light to use U-Tapao Airport. Mr. Chaisak Angkasuwan, Director General of the Civil Aviation Department said that he had authorized more than 20 airlines to utilise the airport, and that already several flights had landed. He also requested that Immigration and Customs staff to reinforce the number of staff at the airport. THAI confirmed that its Bangkok-Los Angeles flight had landed there earlier in the day. |
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November 27, 2008 / 19.00 hrs
The Minister of Foreign Affairs informed the ambassadors/consuls of all foreign delegations in Thailand that the government was very concerned about the safety of all foreign nationals in the country, and that safety was a very high priority. They also informed that all relevant government agencies and private sector associations were providing facilitation in the form of accommodation, meals, etc. Furthermore, that the government would try to open Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports as soon as possible. |
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All other locations and tourist destinations and attractions nationwide are not being affected by this situation and are safe for travel purposes. |
Contact information:
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org
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