30 Norwegians trapped in Phuket

**zubber** · 08-01-2010, 04:36 PM

Snow Traps 30 Charter Flight Passengers on Phuket

By Phuketwan Reporter

Thursday, January 7, 2010
BAD WEATHER in Britain has trapped 30 Norwegians on tropical Phuket for days, leaving them stranded with little to do, and destined to take the long way home.

Snow fell heavily on Manchester, which meant Thomas Cook was forced to send a smaller aircraft to collect 300 charter passengers.

Some passengers were told on the way to the airport that they would not actually be catching the flight, because there was no room.

Instead, according to those left behind, the 30 were driven to what was described as ''a miserable hotel in the middle of Phuket Town.''

No new flights are coming, and so the Norwegians, stuck since Tuesday, have to be squeezed onto existing charter planes, where seats are available.

''There are no facilities, no beach and nothing to do.This is very tragic," stranded passenger Mona Gulliksen told Norwegian media outlet tv2nyhetene.no

Twelve of the stranded passengers managed to get away on Thursday, on a flight to Malmo, in Sweden, then they will catch a bus to Copenhagen, then a flight home to Oslo.

Children in the group are missing their education while Mona Gulliksen, who runs a driving school, says that people who have booked for lessons are turning up and waiting in minus 20 degree weather.

Some in the overstay group hope to fly on Saturday, which means they will be home on Sunday or Monday . . . almost a week late.

A company spokesman said the situation was regrettable but there were no seats available on regular flights out of Bangkok. All living costs, including taxis around town, were being met.

''It is expensive for us to have stranded tourists, too,'' the spokesman told tv2nyhetene.no

**peterpan** · 08-01-2010, 04:45 PM

moaning fvckers. you think they would be happy to spend another few days in our warm paradise rather beats going back to that miserable freezing place they live.

**dirtydog** · 08-01-2010, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by zubber

All living costs, including taxis around town, were being met.

All taxi costs being met? It's gonna cost Thomas Cook a fortune

**tuktukdriver** · 08-01-2010, 04:48 PM

I guess that's what they get for going with a cheap charter. Most airlines would ask for volunteers and they usually start giving incentives away until they have enough people. I made $600 staying an extra day in Hawaii once. What a party that night was. I made another $400 staying overnight in Korea.

**corned dog** · 08-01-2010, 04:57 PM

Pink lady !! Phuket town tell em to go there an thomas cook it

**malako** · 08-01-2010, 05:14 PM

You'd think they would put them in a decent hotel though. If they were comfortable at the hotel, they wouldn't have to use expensive taxis to get to somewhere they were..

**jandajoy** · 08-01-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by zubber

Children in the group are missing their education while Mona Gulliksen, who runs a driving school, says that people who have booked for lessons are turning up and waiting in minus 20 degree weather.

Driving lessons in minus 20 degree weather. ???????????

**natalie8** · 08-01-2010, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Driving lessons in minus 20 degree weather. ???????????

I laughed when I read that too, but hey, it's better to learn in the shit weather than in the summer and be totally f*cked once winter arrives.

**patsycat** · 08-01-2010, 06:33 PM

Oh diddums!!

I could take one of their places if they are so desperate...Maybe i'll start a business. "Available to take your place if you are stranded on a tropical island"

**keda** · 09-01-2010, 08:16 AM

Spoiled Norwegians! Many in Europe right now would rent out their mothers for a chance to spend a few days in Phuket.

**nikster** · 09-01-2010, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by tuktukdriver

I guess that's what they get for going with a cheap charter. Most airlines would ask for volunteers and they usually start giving incentives away until they have enough people. I made $600 staying an extra day in Hawaii once. What a party that night was. I made another $400 staying overnight in Korea.

Agree - this must be a really crap travel agent. At the very least they should be on the beach somewhere. Phuket town in my recollection really sucks, particularly if you are not motorized.

My GF once volunteered for a flight delay, got a $800 ticket voucher (chose it over $400 in cash) and 5 star accommodation paid for by the airline.

**mooncake** · 09-01-2010, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by keda

Spoiled Norwegians! Many in Europe right now would rent out their mothers for a chance to spend a few days in Phuket.

I would think that many do have other more important committment back home than just laying dead in the sun for a few more days here.

**paranha** · 09-01-2010, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by mooncake

Originally Posted by keda

Spoiled Norwegians! Many in Europe right now would rent out their mothers for a chance to spend a few days in Phuket.

I would think that many do have other more important committment back home than just laying dead in the sun for a few more days here.

True Mooncake but as Keda says it, Norwegians are very spoiled.

I think I should know

**malako** · 09-01-2010, 12:53 PM

I must be spoilt too, as I too would demand a 5 star hotel on the beach

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