Thread: The Airport fiasco

A good piece from the Post, that puts things a bit in perspective when we see the energy used to chase Red Shirts for alleged minor infractions and the relentless pursuit of Thaksin.

• Newspaper section: News

This week marks the first anniversary of one of Thailand's most turbulent events - the seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in November last year. It was one year ago when the PAD held Thailand hostage to achieve its ambitious goal of remedying the political malaise and putting the country on the right governing course - a mission they have yet to succeed in.
The PAD's airport blockade was meant to press the Somchai Wongsawat government, the proxy of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, alias Takki Shinegra, to give up power. Eventually, the Somchai government was not ousted by the PAD but by a court order of dissolution for vote fraud.
In July, there was an attempt by the police to indict 36 "terrorist" suspects, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who incited the mob to lay siege to the two airports. But the action, which at least showed that the rule of law does exist in this country and that justice would be served, quickly lost momentum and has been in mute mode since.
It is quite clear that very little, if any, has been done by authorities so far to make those who committed the serious crime against the whole nation during Nov 25-Dec 2, 2008, accountable.
The inaction has kept many people wondering whether the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration has double standards because other cases related to the Thai political squabbling and the convicted former prime minister are being resolved much more quickly. The lack of progress to find the culprits of the airport blockade and the fact that Mr Kasit, himself a major PAD supporter, remains as Foreign Minister despite calls to remove him, has only cemented suggestions that PM Abhisit was siding with the yellow-shirt movement. Just because Mr Abhisit's Democrat Party opposed the two previous Thaksin-backed regimes should not mean the current government can turn a blind eye on the issue. The present powers-that-be and law enforcement authorities should not get too embroiled in the political dimensions and personal political bias to blur their sense of righteousness and duty either.
One year on, Thailand has continued to pay massively for the PAD's embarrassing action: 210 billion baht in losses; the country's GDP has continued to slide ever since the airport seizure compounded by the global economic recession. The blockade left some 350,000 visitors stranded and prevented 3.4 million tourists from visiting Thailand. The act severely dented the Kingdom's tourist-friendly image. Even today many foreign visitors are still haunted by their 10-day traumatic experience in Thailand. Many of them have simply shunned Thailand. Litigation aside, we have not yet seen effective measures from the current government to prevent the history of airport seizures from being repeated.
The last time we heard about the development of this issue was back in February when the draft bill on anti-airport seizure was approved by the Cabinet. However, that draft contained a ridiculously light penalty for any attempt to seize airports which underscored a lack of any serious intention of the current government to keep airports off-limits to political rallies.
A crime that paralyses the national economy and ruins the country's international image carries a measly fine of between 500 and 10,000 baht!
No wonder why most people, even top ranking security personnel, agreed that Thai airports could be raided again as the siege has proved to be an easy but highly effective tool to press for their political agenda and get away with little or no legal consequences.
Today, key airports like Suvarnabhumi remain highly vulnerable to seizure. Our airports, from the international perspective, are relatively unsafe. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that a comprehensive and effective anti-airport seizure plan is put in place as soon as possible.
Equally important is that security forces, who shamefully melted away when these PAD protesters, some armed, rampaged through the terminals of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, strictly perform their duties to protect the nerves of Thailand's air transportation.
Meanwhile, the impact arising from possible future airport closures would be harder because the aviation industry would not be around to help mitigate the effects. International airlines, the airport operator and other service providers, felt let down after the Abhisit government failed to honour a state promise to compensate them for the actual expenses incurred for assisting stranded travellers. For international airlines, the aggregate cost amounted to 85 million baht; 120 million baht for Bangkok Airways, and hundreds of million baht in the case of Thai Airways International and Airports of Thailand.

• Boonsong Kositchotethana is Deputy Assignment Editor (Business), Bangkok Post.

About the author

Writer: Boonsong KositchotethanaPosition: Deputy Editor Business

The whole legal system in Thailand is a farce. Its simply another arm of the ruling class oligarchy.

Originally Posted by larvidchr

Even today many foreign visitors are still haunted by their 10-day traumatic experience in Thailand.

yep, I would be haunted about being stuck for longer in thailand too

Originally Posted by larvidchr

who shamefully melted away when these PAD protesters, some armed, rampaged through the terminals of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang,

rampaged? I thought it was mostly peaceful

armed? i dont recall that.

Originally Posted by larvidchr

the country's GDP has continued to slide ever since the airport seizure compounded by the global economic recession.

bit of a stretch to blame GDP problems on the airport closure. perhaps saying GDP has slide because of global recession, compounded by airport closure...

I'm surprised that a piece like this can be published . . . or is it only in the English language press?

Originally Posted by kingwilly

rampaged? I thought it was mostly peaceful armed? i dont recall that.

is that the airport then?

Originally Posted by Norton

Implying the PAD are a bunch of non violent, unarmed folks is not born out by their behavior.

i never did impy it, i just think that the author of the article used some creative license when writing...,

Originally Posted by kingwilly

some creative license when writing...,

Originally Posted by larvidchr

these PAD protesters, some armed, rampaged through the terminals of Suvarnabhumi

Some armed seems to be a true and not very creative. Rampaged, is somewhat subjective. Guess it could be considered "creative".

The article is simply pointing out what is obvious. The PAD is responsible for many illegal acts and should be held accountable as their opponents who have.

Originally Posted by Norton

The PAD is responsible for many illegal acts and should be held accountable as their opponents who have.

agreed.

I still think that the writer used too much hyperbole at the expense of the the credibility of the article.

Cobblers that's just Songkran!!!! and someone mentioned there was gonna be another booze ban!!!

Originally Posted by Mr R Sole

someone mentioned there was gonna be another booze ban!!!

Not shown in the pic is the truck load of Leo beer the coppers are protecting.