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| Southeast Asia |
| Thai Opposition Protesters Shut Down Thailand's Main International Airport |
| 2008-11-25 |
| The Airports of Thailand has decided to close the Suvarnabhumi airport after PAD protesters entered passenger terminals. Now, there will not be out-bound flights. In-bound planes are being allowed to land for now, but can be diverted to key provincial airports if situations deteriorated. The order was issued by AOT chief Serirat Prasutanont. He made the decision out of safety concern after PAD protesters penetrated some passenger areas. How long the closure will last is not known. 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 surround Suvarnabhumi Airport where the plane carrying Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was scheduled to land, the arrival of his plane from Peru was reportedly 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 government 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. The political opposition in Thailand has been exercising the concept of mob rule for several months, to little effect. They have occupied "Government House" for more than a month, causing the Cabinet to displace to the largely unused former International airport facility. This past weekend, they decided to "march on Parliament" - which they effectively shut down on Monday. Today, they first massed, perhaps 30,000 strong, in front of the Military Supreme Command Headquarters - and then decided to close down the main Thai airport - which is a VERY busy airport. The Government has been incredibly tolerant of the disruptive behavior - but the Government's patience must be wearing thin. I suspect that some serious violence may be just days - or even hours - away. I've lived in Bangkok for eight years - and I've never seen anything like this. |
| Posted by:Lone Ranger |
| #4 Basically they have Thaksin derangement syndrome. Thaksin was kinda like Thailand's Clinton, but he loved money instead of plump chicks. The PAD-ites see the current PM as Thaksin's disciple, and it makes them fightin' MAD! I will add that if they want to get shot by the authorities, closing the intl airport is a good way to do it.... |
| Posted by: Scooter McGruder 2008-11-25 14:43 |
| #3 LOL LR But what do they want? Are they commies? Islamists? Good guys? Or what? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2008-11-25 12:44 |
| #2 PAD = People's Alliance for Democracy |
| Posted by: Lone Ranger 2008-11-25 11:08 |
| #1 So what does PAD stand for, if anything, other than "Kick out those bums and put us in power"? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2008-11-25 11:05 |