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Suvarnabhumi News

AIRPORT SEIZURE 'We'll be here till PM quits": PAD

Thailand's international airport remained close Wednesday morning, with the People's Alliance for Democracy refusing to budge until the prime minister unconditionally resigns. The Airports of Thailandstill kept the Suvarnabhumi Airport shut Wednesday evening, leaving some 3,000 passengers stranded.

AoT decided to close the Suvarnabhumi airport Tuesday night after PAD protesters blocked an entrace, entered passenger terminals and scuffled with airport officials

"We will gather at the airport unitl Prime Minister Somchai resigns," said PAD spokesman Panthep Wongpuapan, repeating the words of PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Speaking to his followers Tuesday night, Sondhi apologised for the great inconvenience to travellers but said the PAD had no choice with regular bomb attacks that killed and injured many protesters but drew no reaction from the government. "We tried to negotiate with the PAD but they won't talk to us. We know what they want," AoT chief Serirat Prasutanont said Wednesday morning.

The closure, ordered around 9 pm, involved stopping out-bound flights. In-bound planes were still being allowed to land Tuesday night. But Serirat said a complete shutdown started around 4 am Wednesday, with no flight landing or leaving.

Serirat said about 3,000 passengers remained stranded from Tuesday night. They have been given food and drinks by airport authorities. Nearly 20 flights have been diverted to the old Don Muang airport, parts of which have been used as a temporary government headquarters following the PAD's seizure of Government House a few months ago. The first flight, from Japan, landed at Don Muang after 4 am, but passengers only managed to leave the airport around 10 am due to immigration problems.

ThaiPBS reported this morning that more travellers, apparent unaware of the situation or unsure about time frame of the airport closure, were still arriving at Suvarnabhumi Wednesday morning. TV reports showed long-faced, confused foreign tourists, but most were careful not to criticise Thailand's political affairs. The closure order was issued by AOT chief Serirat Prasutanont. He made the decision out of safety concern after PAD protesters penetrated some passenger areas. "The PAD members are now scattered around. I don't know who's who, or who's PAD and who's not," a senior AOT official told The Nation at around 10.30 pm. How long the closure will last is not known. According to Serirat, the initial airport schedules had 44 in-bound flights and 40 departure flights between 11.30 pm Tuesday and 7 am Wednesday. THAI reported that more than 21 flights to Japan, India, Iran, Europe, among others _ were cancelled Tuesday night. This affected up to 6,000 travellers. Overall, up to 10,000 travellers could be affected Tuesday night alone, according to airline sources.

The People's Alliance for Democracy threatened earlier Tuesday night to close down the Suvanabhumi Airport completely after several thousand PAD protesteers blocked an entrance earlier in the day and caused turmoil for numerous passengers. As PAD protesters moved to block the motorway entrance to the Suvarnabhumi Airport in the afternoon when the plane carrying Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was scheduled to land, the arrival of his plane from Peru was announced to have been delayed due to technical problems. The estimated time of arrival has not been confirmed. Some sources said he could be arriving Wednesday evening. "We have tried to pressure the gov?ernment for more than 50 hours but nothing has happened, so we need to step up our campaign by closing the airport to tell the world problems Thailand is facing," said PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul at Government House Tuesday night. Before the closure order, the Airports of Thailand was Tuesday night mobilizing its officials to Suvarnabhumi to make sure no key operations will be disrupted. Travellers still can access the terminals through Bang Na -Trad highway, but the motory-way entrance has been crowded with protesters. Many travellers have already suffered inconvenience. Arrival passengers were stranded Tuesday night and the AOT officials were trying to facilitate their transport out of the airport. AOT has also issued a statement pleading with the PAD. Hectic accommodation was being provided to some stranded departure passengers who had already checked in. Some of them had had to walk with their luggages for up to two kilometres due to problems at the entrance. AOT also has provided a hotline number for inquiries: 02-1321882 and 02-1321888. However, an AOT official said the lines soon became jammed. For THAI flight information, the following number 02-3561111 has been provided. It was a big political gamble by the PAD, which has seen its support declining lately because of controversial, provocative moves. Its die-hard following, however, has been galvanised by deaths and injuries of PAD members since October 7, when police fired tear gas at protesters marching to Parliament. After October 7, the PAD protesters have been targeted for some mysterious bomb attacks that increased the casualty toll. Sondhi, the PAD leader, told his followers only Somchai's unconditional resignation would make the PAD end its latest move.

It has been reported that Prime Minister Somchai has been in touch with his Cabinet and ordered an urgent meeting with top security officials when he arrives back in Thailand late Wednesday afternoon. There were rumours about him planning to invoke an internal security act that will empower the military to take drastic action to keep law and order. The AOT was also known to have asked the Army to provide assistance if problems at the airport went out of control. Somchai's plane failed to take off from Lima, Peru where he attended the APEC summit after the hydraulic lock of the plane's wheels failed to unlock. The technical repair was first expected to make Somchai's flight eight hours behind the schedule, making Somchai's arrival time to be around 7 pm. It was later reported that the repair work would be finished sooner so Somchai would arrive at 5pm. Somchai was scheduled to arrive in Bangkok at around noon on Wednesday. He is now expected to arrive at 7pm instead. Army chief Anupong Paochinda, who had been appointed chief of a task force to monitor the PAD and recommend measures to the government, has become a man in the most akward position. Earlier, he had strongly criticised the government for using violent measures against PAD protesters on October 7, resulting in many deaths and injuries. And on Tuesday afternoon, he reiterated the military's stand that there will not be another coup. But the latest PAD campaign, which will generate great repercussions on many fronts including security, economy and tourism, Anupong will be under heavy pressure to take some action. The US Embassy immediately advised American citizens to avoid the airport particularly its troubled spots. But Anupong will have some breathing space until Somchai returns. The Public Relations Department said its reporter, Saksit Pradabsilp, reported from Peru that a hydraulic lock of the plane's wheel would not unlock, thus, preventing the plane from taking off. While PAD Tuesday split in groups and stage a rally to block a Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, as caretaker prime minister, still man?aged to have a meeting with Interior Minister Kowit Watana and PM's Office Minister Supon Fongngam at the Public Relations Department headquarters at 9.30 am. Police and military representatives also attended the meeting. Chaovarat said after the meeting that the police had assured they could handle the situation. They would be patient and would not use violence. Moreover, they would ask PAD to vacate the government's temporary office at Don Mueang Airport but would not "seize/ take back" the office, otherwise, bloodshed could erupt. Chaovarat said he would leave it to Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to talk to the PAD leaders himself. They were looking for a new place to hold the Cabinet meeting when the PAD blocked the Supreme Command headquarters, he said.

Source: By The Nation Published on November 26, 2008 - http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/26/politics/politics_30089430.php

Thailand shuts down second airport in capital

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BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thai authorities have closed a second airport in the capital after anti-government protesters stormed the terminal.

The country's main international airport has been closed since early Wednesday because of tens of thousands of protesters laying virtual siege on the terminal in their push for the government's resignation.

Serirat Prasutanont, chief of Thailand Airport Authority, says that the city's main domestic airport, Don Muang, was closed early Thursday as authorities feared that protesters might harm passengers and planes.

He said authorities are considering using an air force base outside Bangkok and have alerted all airports nationwide to be ready to receive more diverted flights.

The closure of Don Muang cuts off Bangkok completely to air traffic.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — A call by Thailand's powerful army commander to end the country's deepening political crisis was rebuffed Wednesday, as the prime minister rejected his suggestion to step down, and protesters refused to end their occupation of the country's main airport.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat justified his stance saying he came to power through elections and has "a job to protect democracy for the people of Thailand." He spoke from the northern city of Chiang Mai, a stronghold of government supporters.

His rejection of Army Gen. Anupong Paochinda's plan seemed to put him on a collision course with the military although the general has said he would not launch a coup.

The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy insisted it would continue its airport occupation and other protest activities until Somchai resigns. It rejected the general's proposal for new elections, pushing instead for the appointment of a temporary government.

As the deadlock continued, political violence spread Wednesday to Chiang Mai, where government supporters attacked a radio station aligned with the protesters. Separately, there were unconfirmed reports that one man was killed and several people assaulted in an attack on the city's local airport.

However, it was the occupation of the international Suvarnabhumi Airport, just outside the capital Bangkok, that put the world on notice of the turmoil that has reduced Thailand to a dysfunctional nation.

European Union and Britain's Foreign Office both issued statements of concern about the political situation.

Thousands of travelers were stranded in Bangkok when members of the alliance swarmed the airport Tuesday night, forcing a halt to virtually all outgoing flights.

Several thousand passengers were bused to city hotels Wednesday to await developments, but many other passengers spent a second night at the airport after a day of behind-the-scenes negotiations failed. All flights have been suspended until further notice.

Among those stranded were Americans trying to get home for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.

Cheryl Turner, 63, of Scottsdale, Arizona, had asked neighbors to pull an 18-pound turkey from her freezer a day ahead of time to defrost so she could cook it for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

"My turkey is sitting in the sink at home," she said.

Some travelers took the inconvenience in stride.

"It's really horrible to be delayed and I'm missing my friend and things, but the local people have given us food, offered us drinks, and the airport's actually quite a nice place at the moment," said Andy Du Bois-Barclay, an English traveler .

Protesters were also occupying late Wednesday the passenger terminal at the older and smaller Don Muang airport, which appeared to effectively cut off civilian aviation services to the Thai capital.

The protest alliance accuses Somchai of acting as the puppet for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a September 2006 military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Thaksin is in exile, a fugitive from a conviction for violating a conflict of interest law. Somchai is Thaksin's brother-in-law.

PAD, as the protest alliance is known, launched their current campaign on Aug. 26, with a failed attempt to take over a government television station, after which they stormed the grounds of the prime minister's office, which they continue to use as their stronghold.

The group has also tried twice to blockade Parliament, in one case setting off a daylong street battle with police that left two people dead and hundreds injured.

They prepared for their "final showdown" Sunday in an almost festive atmosphere at their Government House stronghold. Even as they pushed through police lines Monday to blockade parliament and the temporary government office at Don Muang airport, crowds remained relaxed as police yielded to them.

The situation soured Tuesday, with scattered violence between political rivals in different parts of Bangkok. At one point, government supporters threw rocks at a truckload of alliance members, who shot back with pistols and then chased and beat their attackers.

Skirmishes continued in several spots Tuesday night and Wednesday, leaving more than a dozen people hurt.

Their action came as the group's public support seemed to be waning and they appeared to be seeking out confrontations to up the ante in their struggle.

"It is no secret that the PAD are armed with guns, bombs, knives and wooden batons. They constantly break the law with impunity," said Ji Ungpakorn, an associate professor of political science at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

In an open letter, he charged that the alliance, along with the military, the opposition Democrat Party and "the Conservative Establishment would rather see total chaos in Thailand rather than allow democracy to function."

In a televised press conference, Paochinda said, "the government should give the public a chance to decide in a fresh election."

However, he insisted he was not pressuring the government and ruled out staging a coup.

"We have considered every option including a coup, but it will not resolve the problem," he said. Government supporters have said they would forcefully resist a military takeover.

Suriyasai Katasila, a spokesman for the protesters, said the group would not abide by the army chief's plea to leave the country's international airport or other occupied government facilities

"If the government does not quit, we will not quit," he said.

Late Wednesday night, in response to a petition by the state airport operator, Bangkok's Civil Court issued an injunction ordering the demonstrators to immediately leave Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The protesters have ignored similar orders, but the document provides a legal basis for security forces to remove them.

Airport director Serirat Prasutanont, who had tried to negotiate with the protesters to allow passengers to fly out, said the takeover "damaged Thailand's reputation and its economy beyond repair."

Tourist income during the high season — from late October to February — could slump to about half the expected $6.8 billion, said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, head of the Tourism Council of Thailand.

The airport, the 18th-busiest in the world, handled over 40 million passengers in 2007.

Source: By The Associated Press, November 27, 2008

Chamlong says crisis will end before Dec 5

Chamlong Srimaung, a co-leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said Saturday that the political crisis would end before Friday.

He said he was willing to hold talk with Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat anywhere except Chiang Mai because it is too far away.

Source: The Nation, November 29, 2008. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30089752

PAD guards detain policeman

Guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy detained a police senior sergeant major Saturday morning.

Pol Senior Sgt Maj Sompop Nathee, an officer from the Border Patrol Police Region 1 was arrested when he rode a motorcycle to a scene where police crashed with protesters at a police checkpoint on Kingkaew Road.

Sompop was taken to be questioned by Samran Rodphet, a leader of the PAD. Samran ordered the guards to continue to detain the police officer after the questioning. Sompop told Samran tht he happed to drive his car past the Kingkaew checkpoint when the clash occurred and he was forced to retreat along with other policemen.

He later decided to ride a taxi motorcycle to the spot to retrieve his car but found that it had been damaged by the protesters. He was captured by the PAD guards at the spot. When PAD guards took him to Samran inside the Suvarnabhumi Airport, reporters and photographers tried to follow him to interview and take photos but the guards and other protesters booed at the newsmen and did not allow them to follow the guards.

Source: The Nation, November 29, 2008. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30089753

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The name Suvarnabhumi was given by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej at an auspicious foundation stone laying ceremony on January 19, 2002. Suvarnabhumi means "The Golden Land" which is a traditional name for the Thailand-Cambodia-Laos-Burma region.