Possible further airport hell averted! The latest reports out of Bangkok have it that Suvarnabhumi could be reopen as early as December 5, though other estimates say rebooting BKK could take at least another week or longer.

Don't order your last celebratory bowl of Pad Thai just yet, though: With as many as a few hundred thousand other people clamoring to get out of the country, flights are bound to be the definition of overbooked for days if not weeks. What's the best exit strategy, then? For now, it's the Vietnam-era U-Tapao airfield, a 90-mile drive south of Bangkok, which is currently operating some international flights.

Among the carriers making connections to international airports that won't be total nightmares for the rest of 2008 are AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines. AirAsia in particular has lots of flights, including departures to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Shenzhen and Singapore.

Related Stories:
· AirAsia "Rescue Flights" [Official Site]
· Bangkok Protests: What to Do if You're in Thailand [Telegraph]
· Bangkok International Airport Still Protest Central [Jaunted]

[Photo: AirAsia]]]> pbb 2008-12-02T15:05:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/12/1/84652/2182

These People's Alliance for Democracy protesters don't quit! Almost a full week after seizing control of both airports in Bangkok, the PAD is still occupying Suvarnabhumi and no commercial flights are arriving or departing, though some empty planes are being moved to other airports in the region.

The tourism minister of Thailand says the PAD's actions have stranded 240,000 tourists, though as an employee of the current government, we're a little dubious of the accuracy of that figure. Still, there's no denying that several thousand holidaymakers have been inconvenienced by the airport closure. PAD is handing out water as a PR gesture, but most of the reports from BKK we've seen show passengers more interested in getting the hell out of Thailand than hydrating.

Even if protesters clear out of Suvarnabhumi today--and that doesn't seem likely, does it?--it'll be at least another week before it's back in business, the director of the Airports Authority of Thailand has said. In the meantime, regional hubs Changi Airport in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur International in Malaysia are open as usual. If you can get the change fee on your ticket waived because of possibly-coup-inciting protests, let us know!

Related Stories:
· 240,000 Tourists Stranded in Thailand [The Nation]
· Thai Protesters to Focus on Airports [NYT]
· Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport Still Shuttered [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-12-01T09:00:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/26/55325/077

Let's be honest: We're pretty scared about bungee jumping. But there are a few reassuring facts about the Jungle Bungy in Phuket: It's over water, so we figure we've still got half a chance if our bungee cord breaks; it's cheap--first jump of the day is 2000 Baht ($55) and it gets heaps cheaper if you do multiple jumps; and it's safe because the boss jump master is a guy from New Zealand who totally knows his stuff.

So what can go wrong? Nothing apart from us losing our nerve, perhaps. Maybe the tandem bungee is for us, but they also offer a catapult bungee, backwards bungee and a water touch bungee.

For nervy jumpers like us the website is very reassuring about safety, and then they say that if we have any troubles, "We can give you a nudge if you like!" If you make it (if you jump, that is, not if you survive) you get a "Certificate of Courage." We'd display that proudly on our most prominent wall, we think.

Related Stories:
· Jungle Bungy Jump Phuket [Official Site]
· Phuket Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: ciao-chow]]]> amandak 2008-11-26T15:15:20-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/26/112320/41

Protesters calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat overwhelmed Suvarnabhumi Airport Tuesday night, some bombs reportedly exploded nearby and BKK remains closed today, with People's Alliance for Democracy camped out in the terminal. The New York Times described the scene:

Confidently striding across a makeshift stage, Mr. Sondhi added: “Are we going to stay here tonight? The answer is definitely, Yes!” Stranded passengers were evacuated by airport staff from the terminal throughout the day Wednesday, many of them sent to Bangkok hotels. “Canceled” flashed across the flight schedule screens and check-in counters were empty.

Protesters set up cooking equipment and prepared vats of food in the terminal building, giving parts of the building a festival-like atmosphere. But with tension running high among both demonstrators and government supporters, the possibility of further violence remained high.

Reportedly PAD supporters have even occupied the control tower. Airport officials are now calling on the army for help to restore order and get Suvarnabhumi open again.

Related Stories:
· Thai Army Chief Advises PM to Quit [NYT]
· Thai Protests Heighten Crisis [WSJ]
· Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport Shut Down by Protesters [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-11-26T11:24:57-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/25/103142/60

Departing flights out of Bangkok's international airport have been canceled, news wires are reporting, though BKK's website makes no mention of service interruptions.

Protesters affiliated with the People's Alliance for Democracy swarmed Suvarnabhumi International and forced its closure, an airport spokeswoman told Reuters, while other PAD supporters rallied at Don Mueang International, also in Bangkok. If you're scheduled to fly, now would be a good time to call your airline to confirm your seat--or rebook.

Despite the seemingly endless protests and at times violent clashes between the PAD and its political rivals, parts of Thailand's capital remain as safe as usual, says Bangkok-based blogger Newley Purnell:

It’s the early evening, darkness has fallen, and people are heading home from work. Taxis cruise by along the road outside my window. People jog around a scenic park. And motorcycle taxi drivers ferry people about. It’s business as usual.

Related Stories:
· Reports: Bangkok Airport Shut Down [CNN]
· Thai Flights Disrupted as Protesters Storm Airport [Reuters, via WaPo]
· Bangkok Protests: Shots Fired [Newley.com]

[Photo of BKK: rogerwp]]]> pbb 2008-11-25T10:32:56-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/11/17/22635/244

The cult of celebrity among King Bhumimbol's family and his people is, believe it or not, stronger than the Germans' love for Barack Obama. This past weekend, Thais from across the country flooded into Bangkok for the funeral procession of the King's big sister, Princess Galyani Vadhana.

The ceremony has been in the planning stages since the Princess died back in January. Gilded platforms held by stern soldiers carried royal and religious figures and the princess' urn through the streets of Bangkok, where hundreds of thousands of citizens, all dressed in black, stood and either dabbed their eyes quietly or openly sobbed to express their heartfelt (and, technically, government mandated) love for the Princess. Many of the attendees camped out at the site in order to get a seat with a good view. Seems they love the royals as much as we loved the Dave Matthews Band in the late 90s.

The event also served as a heck of a headache for those who actually traveled to Bangkok in hopes of seeing some of the palace and temple grounds set beside the Chao Phraya River. These sites are usually open to visitors but were closed off for the events.

And this ornate ceremony is only the beginning. The princess' remains will be moved several more times so various family members can pay their respects and perform the expected religious rites. And, as usual, every newspaper in TV channel will chronicle the royal family’s movement for 120 million pairs of fascinated Thai eyes.

Related Stories:
· Final Journey [Bangkok Post]
· Escape to the Bangkok Film Festival [Jaunted]

[Photo: adaptor plug]]]> ced138 2008-11-18T12:45:15-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/25/71547/0148

In this world, there are only a few absolutes. Blue raspberry is the greatest fake flavor ever. People who say they enjoy reading James Joyce are lying. And Nic Cage is simply awful. So it's no wonder he played Viktor Bout, the so-called "Merchant of Death" and one of the biggest dicks of our time. The international gun smuggler, at long last, went to trial on Monday in a Bangkok court.

If inspiring the film "Lord of War" isn't criminal enough, the 41-year-old Russian is also accused of conspiring to kill Americans, providing material support to terrorists and conspiring to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile. The US is trying to extradite the dude, but, for now at least, it looks like justice will be carried out in a Thai courtroom.

Bout provided delivery services to such pacifists as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), Liberian President Charles Taylor, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and both sides of the civil war in Angola. His merch included missiles, guns, high-tech helicopters and airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers. Looks like someone's not getting invited to Ban Ki-moon's Christmas party this year!

Related Stories:
· Arms Dealer Faces Thai Court [The Guardian]
· Thailand Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> ced138 2008-09-26T09:00:36-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/