About 5,000 Thai and foreign tourists were stranded at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Wednesday night after flights bound for Europe were abruptly cancelled, or turned back shortly after departure, due to the escalating armed conflict between India and Pakistan in Kashmir.
The departure lounge became chaotic as passengers were informed of the cancellations. The same turmoil occurred in the arrival lounge as flights which had left for Europe turned back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT4N7ah1OFc
Airport officials tried to assist the frustrated passengers as tourist police were mobilized to provide support and to give advice to stranded passengers on accommodation. It was not known when flights to Europe would be resumed.
Mr. Kittipong Kittikachorn, deputy director of Airports of Thailand Company, said last night that all officials concerned had been trying their best to help the stranded passengers and he advised passengers to check with their airlines or the Call Centre of Thai Airways International before heading to the airport.
He added that the Land Transport Department had been asked to arrange transport for stranded passengers who want to go back to their hotels.
Passengers can check their flights to Europe via the THAI contact centre at 0-2356-1111 24 hours a day.
