Floods shut down airport in Bangkok
Source: Agencies |
October 26, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ADVANCING floodwaters in Thailand shut down commercial flights at Bangkok's second airport yesterday, spilling across a complex housing the country's flood relief headquarters in one of the biggest blows yet to government attempts to prevent the sprawling capital from being swamped.
The effective closure of Don Muang airport, which is used primarily for domestic flights, was sure to further erode public confidence in the ability of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's administration to defend the increasingly anxious metropolis of 9 million people.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country's main international gateway, has yet to be affected by flooding and flights there were operating normally. Most of the city has been spared inundation so far.
Don Muang has come to symbolize the gravity of the Southeast Asian nation's deepening crisis, which has seen advancing waters drown a third of the country and kill 366 people over the last three months.
The airport houses the government's recently established emergency Flood Relief Operations Center, and one of its terminals has been converted into an overcrowded shelter filled with tents for about 4,000 people who fled waterlogged homes.
Somboon Klinchanhom, a 43-year-old civil servant who took refuge there last week, was preparing to move after authorities said the terminal had become too overcrowded and thousands of displaced people would be relocated to other shelters. "I thought it would be safe and well-protected," Somboon said of the airport, as she packed her belongings again.
Outside, ankle-high water rushed over sandbagged barriers and swamped roads within the airport compound.
The two main carriers based at Don Muang announced they were suspending operations and diverting flights to Suvarnabhumi. They are Thai Orient Airlines and Nok Air, which said it was halting flights until November 1.
Captain Kantpat Mangalasiri, the airport's director, said Don Muang's runways - though not currently flooded - would be closed until November 1 to ensure safe aircraft operations.
Thai air force flights carrying relief supplies were continuing on a military runway that is still open, air force spokesman Montol Suchukorn said. He said floodwaters had breached the military's air base, but the runway remains protected by flood barriers.
The scene at the domestic terminal was chaotic as throngs of confused passengers struggled to leave or pulled up to the departure hall with luggage, unaware their flights had been canceled.
Don Muang, located on Bangkok's northern outskirts, is among seven of the capital's 50 districts that the government has declared at risk. Those zones, in the north and northwest, are all experiencing some flooding.
Yesterday, Yingluck's administration declared public holidays on October 27-31 in affected areas, including Bangkok.
The effective closure of Don Muang airport, which is used primarily for domestic flights, was sure to further erode public confidence in the ability of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's administration to defend the increasingly anxious metropolis of 9 million people.
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country's main international gateway, has yet to be affected by flooding and flights there were operating normally. Most of the city has been spared inundation so far.
Don Muang has come to symbolize the gravity of the Southeast Asian nation's deepening crisis, which has seen advancing waters drown a third of the country and kill 366 people over the last three months.
The airport houses the government's recently established emergency Flood Relief Operations Center, and one of its terminals has been converted into an overcrowded shelter filled with tents for about 4,000 people who fled waterlogged homes.
Somboon Klinchanhom, a 43-year-old civil servant who took refuge there last week, was preparing to move after authorities said the terminal had become too overcrowded and thousands of displaced people would be relocated to other shelters. "I thought it would be safe and well-protected," Somboon said of the airport, as she packed her belongings again.
Outside, ankle-high water rushed over sandbagged barriers and swamped roads within the airport compound.
The two main carriers based at Don Muang announced they were suspending operations and diverting flights to Suvarnabhumi. They are Thai Orient Airlines and Nok Air, which said it was halting flights until November 1.
Captain Kantpat Mangalasiri, the airport's director, said Don Muang's runways - though not currently flooded - would be closed until November 1 to ensure safe aircraft operations.
Thai air force flights carrying relief supplies were continuing on a military runway that is still open, air force spokesman Montol Suchukorn said. He said floodwaters had breached the military's air base, but the runway remains protected by flood barriers.
The scene at the domestic terminal was chaotic as throngs of confused passengers struggled to leave or pulled up to the departure hall with luggage, unaware their flights had been canceled.
Don Muang, located on Bangkok's northern outskirts, is among seven of the capital's 50 districts that the government has declared at risk. Those zones, in the north and northwest, are all experiencing some flooding.
Yesterday, Yingluck's administration declared public holidays on October 27-31 in affected areas, including Bangkok.
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