On 4 December 2008, Mr. Thani Thongpakdee, Deputy Director-General of Department of Information, gave a press briefing after Ambassadors of Australia, Canada, Czech, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States of America,France, and Charge d' Affaires of the EU paid a courtesy call on Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs to submit the statement on seizing of Donmuang and Suvannabhumi International Airports. Gist as follows.
- The envoys welcomed the end of the seizure of Donmuang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports.
- While respecting the right to protest and without interfering in Thailand’s internal politics, the envoys reiterated that it was most regrettable and highly inappropriated that the airport was seized by demonstrators on 25 November 2008 and remained there for a week, resulting in the complete shutdown of the airport operations and causing much inconvenience to so many travelers, foreign as well as domestic.
- In order to restore confidence and the international image of Thailand as a major tourist destination, the envoys urged for the Royal Thai Government to take all necessary measures to improve the protection and security of all Thai airports, so as to avoid the recurrence of a similar seizure in the future, and called on all sides concerned not to threaten the operations of Suvarnabhumi and Donmuang Airports and to commit themselves not to disrupt air traffic either in Bangkok or at other regional airports.
On this occasion, the Foreign Ministry, together with Royal Thai Police and the Airports of Thailand explained to the envoys about necessary measures to improve the protection and security of all Thai airports to avoid the recurrence of the aforesaid situation. In addition, the Thai side apologized for any inconvenience caused by such incident and expressed appreciation to foreign countries for their cooperation to assist foreigners in Thailand to return to their countries. The Thai side also informed that the full resumption of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s operation would be on 5 December 2008.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.