TOURISM SITUATION IN THAILAND - As of December 3, 2008 / 12.00 hrs. (Bangkok Time)

TOURISM SITUATION IN THAILAND
As of December 3, 2008 / 12.00 hrs. (Bangkok Time)

	The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protesters have ended their occupation at both Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang Airport.

	The Airport Authority of Thailand (AOT) announced that cargo flights at Suvarnabhumi International Airport had resumed as of 21.00 hrs (02.00 GMT) on 2 December 2008. A total of 12 air freight operators have requested to land at the airport.

	Commercial operations at Suvarnabhumi International Airport are scheduled to resume at midnight on 5 December 2008. Airport authorities are working to resume full airport operations at the earliest possible time, following a re-certification of the airport in accordance with internationally-recognized standards and guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations. The process is expected to take between one to two weeks. Airport authorities are aiming to have Suvarnabhumi International Airport certified and fully operational by 15 December 2008.

	The Thai travel and tourism industry continues to work round-the-clock to help stranded tourists/travellers seeking to be reunited with family and friends.

	THAI continues to operate special flights to facilitate inconvenienced passengers. On 3 December 2008, Thai Airways International will operate 30 special inbound and outbound flights for passengers with confirmed reservations. THAI requests passengers with confirmed reservations, departing from U-Tapao to check in at BITEC – the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Bang-Na, seven (7) Hours prior to their flight departure. THAI will provide transportation between BITEC and U-Tapao Airport.

	Bangkok Airways’ first operative flight from Samui, using an Airbus A319 aircraft, will land at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16.20 hrs. Flight details are as follows: PG 148 : Samui – Bangkok: Time 15.15 – 16.20 hrs. PG 171 : Bangkok – Samui: Time 17.00 – 18.05 hrs. Passengers departing for Samui are requested to check in at Bangkok Airways’ Head Office (99 Vibhavadi Rangsit Road) at 15.00 hrs. where an airport transfer will be arranged for all passengers. For flight reservations, please call 1771 or 02 265 8777.

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