No way out of Thailand
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Heightened civil unrest here that led to the take-over of the Suvarnabhumi (pronounced 'Suwanapum') International Airport is causing daily losses of at least 500 Million Baht (roughly P650 Million in Philippine Currency) for the airport alone. With over 400 daily international flights canceled since Tuesday, no immediate resolution and solution is in sight. Or so it appears as per local media reports.
With augmented anti-government protesters still in control of the airport operations, the group banding as People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is resolute in its stance – the Prime Minister must step down then they negotiate. No stepping down, then PAD stays in Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
As it is, various governments have issued travel advisories to its citizens led by the United States of America, China, Singapore, Australia and the European Union (EU) nations.
Stay out of Suvarnabumi at all costs came the similar message as thousands of stranded foreigners were taken out of the airport terminal. Luckier are the passengers of THAI Airways who were immediately secured and brought to nearby hotels. In the first day of the airport siege alone, THAI Airways catered some 6,000 meals to its passengers. Not much help to allay the fears and anger of the stranded but at least some form of assistance.
As of this writing, Thailand's Transport Minister issued a statement ordering Airports of Thailand (AoT) officials in Suvarnabhumi to sue PAD for damages.
Meantime, Bangkok Post, the leading English newspaper here reported in yesterday's issue that government sources hinted of using "necessary force" to clear the international airport of protesters.
This writer along with three other travelers is among the stranded albeit in a far better condition out of Suvarnabhumi.
Travel options out of Thailand include a 10-hour train ride to Kuala Lumpur then fly to Clark Air Base or Manila. Estimated cost per passenger? At least P20,000. Crossing other borders – Cambodia for instance – is not one highly-recommended under the circumstances with the two travelers carrying American passports.
Not helping is yesterday's Mumbai attacks that primarily targeted American nationals thus causing extra concern.
Either way though, it is seemingly no way out of Thailand at the moment. PAD protesters by the way are the ones now checking every vehicle – private or public – entering the Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
And it was only five days ago when this writer had a welcomed visit to the PAD protest center near the United Nations headquarters. News reports then disclosed of possibilities of a take-over of a local airport, the Don Mueang and government center in it. Who would have guessed indeed that PAD was aiming higher.
On a positive note though, life outside of Suvarnabhumi appears normal. Malls both for the elite and the middle class are open. Public transport is still on with extra uniformed security. Classes in both public and private institutions are regular.