| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
BANGKOK : Some 90,000 passengers are believed to have missed their flights since Bangkok's airports were shutdown on Wednesday.
The stranded passengers are looking to land routes to try and make their way home.
The indefinite occupation of both airports has done more than escalate Thailand's seemingly intractable political crisis.
It has left the kingdom's world renowned reputation for hospitality in tatters.
Faced with irate and frustrated customers, travel agents have begun to find alternate ways - via bus and train - for their clients to get home.
"Over the last few days, many people have called to try and book buses from Bangkok to Malaysia, with onward connections to Singapore. And I told them that we could do it. Previously, long bus journeys were not preferable, and people would rather fly. But now, there's a huge interest in taking the bus," said Wanitcha Sukchet, a travel agent.
With the Bangkok international airport closed indefinitely, stranded travellers have had to find alternate routes in order to leave Thailand.
One possible solution is an overnight bus from Bangkok, stopping in Hat Yai and Penang, and ending in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Once there, travellers can take a flight out of the kuala Lumpur International airport.
But it's not a plan suitable for all. A tourist from Switzerland said he can't subject his infant daughter to such an arduous journey.
Other passengers waited in queues near the Khao San Road tourist district to board buses and end their travel nightmare.
"It's good to know where you're going next, but I'm quite upset because of the extra costs as it's quite a lot," said a Dutch tourist.
Some were even able to see the lighter side of things.
"I'm definitely tired and I'm happy, it's a different trip for me," said a businessman from Turkey.
Thai authorities said the airports will remain closed until Saturday night although negotiations between police and protesters are underway. - CNA /ls
|
