12/2/08 – UPDATE
Bangkok airports have now been opened to limited outgoing flights, and are scheduled to be in full operation by December 15th at the latest. Airport staff has been allowed to go into the airport to start preparing for full operation, and it has been reported that the airport could start incoming international flights in as little as a week.
Brandon and Andrea plan on going to Thailand as soon as the airports are in full operation to gauge the political situation on the ground. Our feeling is that the situation will settle down and the Vice Prime Minister will take over for the Prime Minister. Although the political situation will likely take a while to get back on track we believe tours should be able to move forward as planned.
I understand that you may have more questions regarding your tour, and I welcome you to call and ask any questions you may have.
Kindly,
April
877-454-3672
12/1/08 – UPDATE
Dear Guests and Partners-
As of today both Bangkok airports are still closed and we are unsure as to when either will open. As we have mentioned previously, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide you with updates. If you have any questions at all regarding your tour, or the airport, please do not hesitate to contact me either by phone 877/454-3672 or by email april@journeys-within.com .
Kindly,
April
US Tour Consultant
Dear Guests and Partners,
We are saddened by the recent closure of the Bangkok Airport. We know that this will be incredibly detrimental to the guides, drivers and hotel staff that are our friends and colleagues and a burden for our guests on tour, as well as a stress for those with upcoming tours. At present the Bangkok Airport is closed with no flights coming or going.
We are in touch with our current guests and working on the best solutions. For those guests that are trying to get home we have arranged hotel rooms and are watching the situation to see when we can rebook them on returning flights. For guests booked on internal flights we are trying to find other alternatives or extend their stays where they are. Some guests have chosen to travel overland rather than wait for the opening of the airport and we are facilitating that. For those guests currently in Bangkok tours can continue as usual with no disruption or problems, day-to-day life in the capital continues as usual.
For guests that have upcoming trips we ask that we give the Thai Government a chance to resolve the situation before we cancel tours or change itineraries. I was in Bangkok earlier this week and the general consensus was the opposition was losing power and that this would be a last-chance effort for them. Obviously they have decided to be as dramatic as possible with very little regard for the economic impact on their country and fellow Thais. We are hoping that in the next day a compromise will be made and the airport will be able to open. Our Bangkok office is in constant contact with the airlines and airport personnel. There is very little information coming from the Thai Government or from the airport so at this point we are trying to find temporary solutions and reassessing continually.
If you have any questions please email or call April of myself and we will be posting updates on the blog at www.journeyswithinblog.com.
Best,
Andrea
Andrea Ross
(855) 63 964 748
April O’Connell-Cole
877 454 3672
