Departing Flights Unable To Leave, Passengers Stranded

While it's possible we'll see a number of delays this week as holiday travelers flock to US airports... things could be much, much worse. Consider the sad case of travelers attempting to leave Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport... which was effectively shut down by protesters Tuesday night, and remains in a lockdown situation at this writing.

Agence-France Presse reports some 8,000 Thai protesters with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) seized control of the airport this week, with armed guards sealing off roads to the facility. Incoming flights are still arriving... but nearly 100 departing flights have been cancelled, and operations at the airport have been "greatly disrupted."

"I have been informed by Thai Airways that 3,000 passengers are stranded at the terminal now," airport director Saereerat Prasutanont said. "Protesters refused to negotiate with anyone except the prime minister."

A number of Americans are among the passengers stranded at the airport. "We spent the night here after all the check-in staff ran away," said Florida resident Vanessa Sloan, who had planned to leave on a Wednesday flight to Chiang Mai. "No one is here to help."

Passengers and protesters largely avoided clashes Tuesday, with local riot police avoiding confrontation for fear of escalating tensions. There are signs the situation is deteriorating, however; at least five people were hurt Wednesday in three separate grenade blasts, one of which was at Suvarnabhumi and a second at Bangkok's old Don Mueang airport.

The old airport is home to temporary offices for current Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is also the brother-in-law to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. PAD demonstrated against Thaksin's rule until he was ousted in a 2006 coup; protesters say Somchai is little more than Thaksin's puppet.

The protesters -- many of which wear yellow, to symbolize their allegiance to Thailand's former monarchal system of government -- launched their takeover of Suvarnabhumi upon Somchai's return from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru.

FMI: www.bangkokairportonline.com