SAWASDEE 2

[symbiosis 0]

My fiancee called and was asking frantically if I'll be able to make it on 4 Dec. I told her I really don't know... I'm pretty sure my leave just went down the toilet. It's too bad it took this long and happened during this time of year for the boilover to finally start.

Have you checked into flying into Chaing Mai? Or Phuket. Most of the disturbance is on the east side of bkk (where Suvarnabhumi airport is), so maybe should could get a bus west to Phuket.

It would be a shame to have this screw up your leave!

Edited November 26, 2008 by symbiosis

[symbiosis 0]

should say: "maybe she could get bus ..."

you could get a flight into, say, singapore or Kuala Lumpur and then hop on a cheap Air Asia flight to Phuket:

http://www.airasia.com/site/th/en/home.jsp

Edited November 26, 2008 by symbiosis

[toma1 10]

My fiancee called and was asking frantically if I'll be able to make it on 4 Dec. I told her I really don't know... I'm pretty sure my leave just went down the toilet. It's too bad it took this long and happened during this time of year for the boilover to finally start.

Have you checked into flying into Chaing Mai? Or Phuket. Most of the disturbance is on the east side of bkk (where Suvarnabhumi airport is), so maybe should could get a bus west to Phuket.

It would be a shame to have this screw up your leave!

If they can't get them out of Suvarnabhumi, they could just start routing flights through Don Maung again. (After properly securing the perimeter.)

[symbiosis 0]

right now, I see Singapore-Phuket Air Asia for Dec. 4 for about USD$70

[eric_f 0]

No, the problem is that travel packages and travel itineraries have to be routed up the chain of command approved by our group C.O. and he's on leave for Thanksgiving. I have to submit a 20 page force protection package to go to a foreign country for leave lol. I've got clearance to go so far as the airport is opened back up, but I have instructions to get to the embassy ASAP no questions asked if anything escalates. It's better than nothing It helps to be in good standing with your superiors!

Edited November 26, 2008 by eric_f

[symbiosis 0]

No, the problem is that travel packages and travel itineraries have to be routed up the chain of command approved by our group C.O. and he's on leave for Thanksgiving. I have to submit a 20 page force protection package to go to a foreign country for leave lol. I've got clearance to go so far as the airport is opened back up, but I have instructions to get to the embassy ASAP no questions asked if anything escalates. It's better than nothing

I see, well I certainly hope it works out for you. Of course, if you arrived in Bkk and then immediately went south ...

Although there has been some disturbance in CM, past history shows that whatever happens is very likely to be a bkk-centric event. So, find a window, scoot in and then get the hell out of Krung Thep!

[eric_f 0]

I see, well I certainly hope it works out for you. Of course, if you arrived in Bkk and then immediately went south ...

Although there has been some disturbance in CM, past history shows that whatever happens is very likely to be a bkk-centric event. So, find a window, scoot in and then get the hell out of Krung Thep!

That's the plan at least, I'm crossing my fingers but not holding my breath lol

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

Update: Special ticket arrangement due to the latest situation in Thailand

Cathay Pacific Airways advises that its flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok will continue to be affected by the closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, please click here for special ticketing arrangements.

frugin sux, im supposed to be leaving tuesday morning, dec. 4 arrival

Edited November 26, 2008 by Birch-Beer

[Thai family 0]

I hope all of you get to see your finacees or spouses as scheduled. I noticed my son isn't speaking of 'politics as usual' in Thailand since Suvarnabhumi closed down. His wife is supposed to finally arrive here the 11th. He was there during the 2006 coup and referred to it as boring. I hope these current events will become boring, for everyone's sake. If problems continue he will be looking at southern routes, although I could see them making an effort to close them down too.

Thai Mom

[daboyz 36]

He was there during the 2006 coup and referred to it as boring.

Thai Mom

My wife came into our bedroom freaking out waking me up in 2006. They shut off CNN and BBC on UBC for 24 hours. I think they told everyone not to come to work that day. Other than that, normal day to day life continued. I would also call it boring. No tanks on Sukhumvit. Boring/stability can be a nice thing sometimes.

[symbiosis 0]

My fiancee called and was asking frantically if I'll be able to make it on 4 Dec. I told her I really don't know... I'm pretty sure my leave just went down the toilet. It's too bad it took this long and happened during this time of year for the boilover to finally start.

Have you checked into flying into Chaing Mai? Or Phuket. Most of the disturbance is on the east side of bkk (where Suvarnabhumi airport is), so maybe should could get a bus west to Phuket.

It would be a shame to have this screw up your leave!

If they can't get them out of Suvarnabhumi, they could just start routing flights through Don Maung again. (After properly securing the perimeter.)

Now that's shut too.

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

Bangkok post-

Whats the decree?

-------------------------------------------------

Govt preparing to impose Emergency Decree

(BangkokPost.com) - Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat ordered relevant officials to draft the announcement on the enforcement of the Emergency Decree following the cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai province on Thursday.

The decree would be imposed at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, where the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protesters occupied.

The Supreme Commander, Gen Songkitti Chakkabatr, who is deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s former classmate, would be in charge of enforcing the decree.

After the cabinet meeting, Government spokesman Nattawut Saikua, referring to the rumours that national army chief Anupong Paojinda could be dismissed, said the cabinet did not discussed any dismissal or transfer of any army official.

Edited November 27, 2008 by Birch-Beer

[symbiosis 0]

I hope all of you get to see your finacees or spouses as scheduled. I noticed my son isn't speaking of 'politics as usual' in Thailand since Suvarnabhumi closed down. His wife is supposed to finally arrive here the 11th. He was there during the 2006 coup and referred to it as boring. I hope these current events will become boring, for everyone's sake. If problems continue he will be looking at southern routes, although I could see them making an effort to close them down too.

Thai Mom

Yeah, Thailand tends to have "coup lights" or the "mai pen rai coup" as I called it in 2006. Like I said before, the fact that the military has denied it is planning a coup is the scary part -- as that almost certainly means they're preparing to move. Whatever the generals say, believe the opposite.

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

I hope all of you get to see your finacees or spouses as scheduled. I noticed my son isn't speaking of 'politics as usual' in Thailand since Suvarnabhumi closed down. His wife is supposed to finally arrive here the 11th. He was there during the 2006 coup and referred to it as boring. I hope these current events will become boring, for everyone's sake. If problems continue he will be looking at southern routes, although I could see them making an effort to close them down too.

Thai Mom

Yeah, Thailand tends to have "coup lights" or the "mai pen rai coup" as I called it in 2006. Like I said before, the fact that the military has denied it is planning a coup is the scary part -- as that almost certainly means they're preparing to move. Whatever the generals say, believe the opposite.

they're preparing anyway

Thai soldiers stand guard as anti-government protesters plan to protest outside the Air Force base in Bangkok. Thailand's government has asked the military to stay in their barracks as rumours circulated that the army was plotting a coup amid protests.

Edited November 27, 2008 by Birch-Beer

[symbiosis 0]

Here's the answer:

Suvarnabhumi Airport remains closed until Nov 29

BANGKOK: -- Suvarnabhumi Airport will remain closed until 6pm of November 29, according to Airports of Thailand Acting President Serirat Prasutanond.

Serirat also added that Don Mueang Airport would be shut down until 6pm of Friday, November 28.

He said on Thursday that he has sought an injuction for the court's protection of Don Mueang Airport.

-- The Nation 2008-11-27

30 emergency medical teams prepared for police's operation to clear airports: Chalerm

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoombamrung said he instructed the permanent secretary for Public Health to prepare 30 emergency medical teams in the aftermath of expected police's crackdown on protesters.

He said police would try to negotiate with protesters first.

"But if the negotiations fail, let's keep our fingers crossed," Chalerm said.

"I want the negotiations to be successful because I don't want to see bloodshed."

-- The Nation 2008-11-27

SO, the police are going to clear the airports by Saturday unless the army stages a coup first.