Thai protests force Phuket airport to close
Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:10am EDT
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Anti-government protests spreading across Thailand forced the airport in Phuket, a major tourist destination in the south, to close on Friday, Thai Airways said.
"Flights have been suspended because the airport authorities have announced that the airport is closed," a Thai Airways spokeswoman told Reuters.
Source: Reuters
20 Malaysians stranded at Phuket airport
Saturday August 30, 2008
PETALING JAYA: About 20 Malaysians are stranded at the Phuket International Airport since last night when they went to check in early for their AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur.
Thai AirAsia’s chief executive officer Tassapon Bijleveld said his team was trying to get the passengers safely out of the airport and into nearby hotels.
“We most probably have to cancel today’s flights as well,” he said when contacted in Bangkok last night.
He said most of the 107 passengers bound for Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia flight AK 877 were informed in time to avoid going to the airport and stay in their hotels.
AirAsia yesterday had also cancelled its Phuket-bound flight.
An AirAsia spokesperson said the passengers would be placed on the next available flights depending on how the situation in Thailand unfolds.
Malaysia Airlines had also cancelled its flights to and from Phuket yesterday
“All passengers who had checked in at both KLIA and Phuket airports were provided with hotel accommodation,” said MAS’ director of operations Datuk Tajuden Abu Bakar in a media statement last night.
Source: thestar.com.my