Protestors Close Bangkok Airports

Bangkok’s second airport was closed Wednesday when protestors filled the terminal, leaving it completely cut off to air travel and stranding thousands of tourists. On Tuesday, protesters stormed Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s international airport, followed by a bomb blast that hurt two people before officials shut down the airport.  On Wednesday, yellow-shirted protestors occupied the city’s domestic airport, Don Muang, which also was shut down early Thursday morning.

For the last four months, anti-government protestors have been demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and his cabinet. So far, Wongsawat has refused.

Serirat Prasutanont, head of the Thailand Airport Authority, told the Associated Press that Don Muang was closed because the government feared protestors would hurt tourists or damage aircraft. Authorities are considering using an air base outside of Bangkok as a temporary landing field for diverted flights.

It may be too late. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Philippine Airlines, British Airways and many others have canceled flights indefinitely, saying the security risk is too great.

Bangkok’s international airport was the floodgate  for its 14.5 million visitors to Thailand each year. According to reports, the protests could cost the tourist industry about $2.8 billion. Still, the protestors had manners. They distributed apologies by leaflets. ”We’re sorry,” it said. “We just need to bring down this corrupt government.”

Photo courtesy of  Suvarnabhumi Airport