Bangkok - Europe flights continue

[wowpow]

Bangkok Post 11th August 2006

There has been no halt in flights from Bangkok to the United Kingdom following a foiled major terrorist plot to blow up aircraft flying from the UK to the United States by police Thursday.

Security measures including restrictions on hand luggage are likely to be in effect on many flights, both to Europe and elsewhere. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that he believed the terror threat should not spread to Asia, and that it is not necessary now to cancel flights from Bangkok to the UK. "I have been informed of the foiled terrorist plot in London and have ordered a security beef-up at all international and regional airports in the country," said Mr. Thaksin, "but I consider it's not necessary to cancel flights to the UK at the moment as the terror threat shouldn't spread to Asia.

Police in London said on Thursday they had thwarted the major terrorist plot to blow up aircraft in mid-flight, prompting several countries to have stepped up security at their airports. Twenty-one people have reportedly been arrested in connection with the foiled plot, all of them British Muslims. The suspected terrorists reportedly target flights from London, Glasgow and Manchester to the US, the UK police said. - (TNA)

[wowpow]

The Nation 11 th August 2006


Warning to UK-bound Thai flyers

The Foreign Ministry yesterday recommended Thais with no urgent business in the United Kingdom postpone their trips after a plot to bomb aircraft shuttling between the United States and the UK was foiled.

Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon instructed the Thai embassy in London to monitor the situation and report back to Bangkok regularly.

People with a real need to visit the UK should get the latest updates from agencies, including the Foreign Affairs Ministry, before departure and should observe all advisories from British authorities, the ministry's statement said.

Thais in the UK were not panicking over the threat, ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh said.

The embassy in London recommends Thais refrain from gathering in public places, he said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thak-sin Shinawatra said he instructed Thai Airways International to perform thorough checks on all passengers with carry-on luggage but saw no need to halt flights.

The government expects the risk might not expand to Asia, he said.

THAI experienced no cancellations, and its two flights to London operated on schedule, said Surapol Isarangkun, director for emergency operations at the flag carrier.

The two flights were not disrupted by the closure of Heathrow Airport, as they were scheduled to land at 6.45am and 6.30pm while the airport was closed from 8.45am-1pm.

"But passengers flying from London to Bangkok could suffer a delay," he said.

The national airline said it stood ready to comply with British authorities if they step up security measures.

THAI said in a news release that one of its flights departing Heathrow for Bangkok yesterday afternoon was expected to depart about an hour late because of the new carry-on luggage restrictions.

But no flights from Thailand to London have been cancelled, said Somchai Sawasdeepon, a senior official from Airports of Thailand.

Terrorism can strike anywhere at anytime but can you imagine tightened security at Bangkok? It already takes forever to get through.

Terrorism can strike anywhere at anytime but can you imagine tightened security at Bangkok? It already takes forever to get through.


I don't know what airline you travel with from Bangkok but I have never had a problem with Thai International at Bangkok and often find it a lot easier than the UK end.

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Im guessing steve got unlucky and got caught in one of the big immigration desk queues.