Gemma Duport enjoying the sights of Thailand before trouble erupted at Bangkok airport. (0677050)
LOCAL woman Gemma Duport is one of 3,000 people stranded in Thailand after protesters stormed its international airport.
Speaking from Koh Samui yesterday, the 26-year-old Specsavers employee described the confusion she was witnessing after demonstrators took control of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
‘People here are panicking because they don’t know how they are going to get home. I’m meant to be travelling home through Bangkok tomorrow and I don’t know if I can,’ she said.
She added that she had been receiving different information and advice every five minutes, which had left her very confused. ‘I have heard that the people stuck in Bangkok are running short on supplies like food and water and there are rumours of explosions,’ she said.
There was a series of small blasts among the protesters yesterday morning, which injured several people, the BBC confirmed.
Ms Duport’s mother had been calling her and expressing concern, but she reassured her that she was OK and was dealing with the situation calmly.
‘My mum is worried, but I’m fine. I’m just not sure how I will get home, especially as I have to make a few connections – but there is no point me worrying about it until tomorrow,’ she said.
She is supposed to catch a 5.15pm flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok and leave there at midnight to fly to the UK, transfer to Gatwick and then fly to Guernsey.
‘I will get home by hook or by crook.’
She said she understood the protestors were no threat to tourists. ‘I’m told it is not an attack on us, but a protest against the politicians they don’t want in power.’
Relying on travel insurance was not an option, she said.
‘I do have it, but because the political protest is counted as terrorism, the insurance does not cover that. Otherwise, I could have maybe flown from somewhere else.
‘My hotel chambermaid told me I might be diverted through Bangkok’s old airport. I just don’t know,’ she said.
She had checked the Suvarnabhumi website and found nothing useful, she said, so she started checking news websites in the hope of learning what was really going on.
It was a shame to end her holiday this way, she said. ‘I have had a great time away, a lovely holiday. It’s just a shame I don’t know how to get home yet.’
The People’s Alliance for Democracy said it would keep the airport closed until Thai prime minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns.
Airport director Serirat Prasutanon has expressed his concern for the future of Thai tourism.
‘The incident has damaged Thailand’s reputation and its economy beyond repair,’ he said.
The protestors seized the control tower and other strategic areas of the airport on Tuesday.
The Thai government was expected to hold emergency cabinet meetings yesterday.
Article posted on 27th November, 2008 - 2.29pm
One Article Comment
I am in Bangkok and certainly no panic here. Most people enjoying a few extra days.
There is no need to worry about food as Thai people will always feed you.
We are expecting a Military coup in the next couple of days, but this is not unusual for Thailand .
I think that I have witnessed about five during my times in Thailand.
This is an internal power struggle and has been ongoing since the last coup. Thai people will try to avoid any harm to foreigners, though there may be inconvenience
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