Bangkok Airport Closed

Thousands of airline passengers have been left stranded in Thailand after anti-government protesters stormed Bangkok’s international airport.

All flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport have been cancelled and the airport closed until further notice.

Protesters from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have taken control of all facilities including the air traffic control towers. Airline staff have left the airport for their own safety and on the advice of their companies.

Safety concerns have led all airlines to stop flights into and out of the airport and PAD leaders are demanding that airlines seek their approval before taking off from or landing at the airport.

Concerns are now growing for tourists with young families at the airport as children’s supplies such as formula milk and baby food run out.

Thousands of PAD protesters had earlier blocked the main access route to the airport and now surround the airport. Inside, TVs have all been switched to gardening channels so travellers are not given information about the chaos.

26 November 2008