krabi

Anyone who is looking for the perfect family destination in Thailand should head straight for the tropical paradise of [Krabi] [1]. Located in the south of Thailand near the popular tourist islands of Phuket and Phi Phi, Krabi offers a more natural, relaxing atmosphere that all the family can enjoy together. At least that’s what Thai Airways International (THAI) executive Teerapol Chotichanapibal believes. In a recent interview with the [Bangkok Post] [2] the airline veteran said that: "Whenever I can squeeze in the time for a family outing I head to a beach destination in Thailand. Krabi definitely comes out tops for its natural beauty. As I'm not the type who's content to sit still, you'd probably find me out on a boat fishing or snorkelling ... basically, soaking in the tranquillity to help myself unwind." Teerapol has been working with THAI for just under 30 years and has certainly spent plenty of time exploring Thailand. With Teerapol’s local knowledge, THAI have been working hard to make special packages and recommendations for passengers. Although there are plenty of fantastic destinations to choose from, he still rates Krabi very highly. [1]: http://1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://bangkokpost.com 2009-08-14T09:15:00+07:00 1416 2009-08-12T11:56:49+07:00 5 true 1416-krabi-rated-thailand-s-best-family-destination Andrew

For the first time in many years, the baht is becoming stronger, already having strengthened by 6% since March. In many ways the strengthening of the Baht will have a positive impact on Thailand. Essential materials will become significantly cheaper as will medicine, meaning that people can afford health care more easily and their general standard of living will improve. However, this means that the exchange rate for foreign currency has plummeted, with US$ now down to now to 34.02. Tourists travelling to [Thailand] [3] in search of a cheap holiday are now finding that they get significantly less for their money, and foreign manufacturers are starting to look elsewhere. Many of Thailand’s chief tourist destinations are being heavily affected, including the picturesque island of [Krabi] [1]. However, as Central Bank governor Tarisa Watanagase said in an interview with the [Bangkok Post] [2] "The baht has not appreciated unduly. It moved from 35 to a dollar at the beginning of the year to 33 and to 34 to the dollar now. The baht has not caused Thai exporters to lose competitiveness.” The good news for tourists is that there are some great deals available on hotels and flights, meaning that Thailand is still a great destination for budget tourism. [1]: http://1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://bangkokpost.com [3]: http://1stopthailand.com 2009-08-11T08:57:00+07:00 1409 2009-08-11T12:24:45+07:00 5 true 1409-strong-baht-weakens-thai-tourism Andrew

Great news for those with children who live on the southern island of [Krabi] [1] or are thinking of relocating. It has just been announced that Krabi should soon be graced with its first international school. The solution will be provided by Dr. Pimonmas Photong-Wollmann, who is the founder of the extremely successful Nawattaphume International School in Lampang. This has long been one of northern Thailand’s leading schools, featuring a day care nursery, Montessori kindergarten and a British curriculum primary school with around 150 pupils. There are also plans to add a high school, boarding facilities and a local hospital. Recently, Dr. Pimonmas Photong-Wollmann received a call from parents in Krabi begging for his help. As Dr. Pimonmas Photong-Wollmann explained in an interview with [Your Krabi] [2]: "They explained their predicament and we arranged a visit. After meeting the parents, children and other local people, we felt we could really help them - plus we loved the area and the people as well. The decision was not terribly business-like, but it came from the heart." Nawattaphume has lodged a formal application with the Krabi Board of Education to open a school on the Ao Nam Mao - Sai Thai Road, near Ao Nang and it looks as though his application will be successful. [1]: http://1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://yourkrabi.com 2009-08-04T09:17:00+07:00 1398 2009-08-03T18:18:07+07:00 5 true 1398-krabi-expats-wait-for-international-school-to-open Andrew

US-based luxury hotel chain Ritz-Carlton has just announced plans to set up its first ever hotel in Thailand. The hotel, which will be named Pulay Bay, will open on [Krabi] [1] before the end of the year and will be aimed at both local and overseas tourists. The hotel is developed and owned by a local firm, Piya International, which is a unit of the Bhiromphakdi family. Estelita Sebeto is the general manager of the Pulay Bay Ritz-Carlton. In a recent interview with [The Nation] [2] she revealed that: "When styling and designing the property, we were very conscious of the abundant natural beauty surrounding us, which is what makes people fall in love with Thailand. We are looking at long-term growth, so we decided to run a 30-year management contract in Thailand.” The new hotel will feature 54 villas and pavilions, surrounded by beaches, a stunning coastline and forests filled with rugged rock formations and hidden waterfalls. For those who want to surround themselves with luxury combined with natural beauty, Pulay Bay Ritz-Carlton on Krabi will be the perfect place to stay. [1]: http://1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://nationmultimedia.com 2009-07-30T08:51:00+07:00 1391 2009-07-28T22:51:57+07:00 5 true 1391-ritz-carlton-comes-to-krabi Andrew

Situated in the south of Thailand, [Krabi] [1] is a great destination for those who love to eat as the island is famous for a number of culinary treats. A great breakfast dish is the khanomjeen fresh noodles, which is served with spicy fish curry sauce known as nam ya pak tai. Much of Krabi’s cuisine is inspired by China’s street food such as xiao chi, and is served in small bamboo baskets. Chinese buns, shrimp dumplings are popular local delicacies, as well as rice noodle rolls with shrimps and spring rolls. Takola is a particularly successful local restaurant, which serves all these local treats with a certain flare. As one of the waiters told [Nation Multimedia] [2] recently: "Bah kut teh is typical Hokkien dish, and you can have it in restaurants owned by members of the Chinese communities from Phuket to Malaysia to Singapore. Black pepper, ginseng, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and nine more herbs and spices are steamed with the pork rib for hours." So when you travel to Krabi make sure you bring your appetite with you. Bon appétit. [1]: http://1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://nationmultimedia.com 2009-07-29T09:07:00+07:00 1389 2009-07-28T14:27:35+07:00 5 true 1389-taste-the-difference-on-krabi Andrew

Picturesque [Krabi] [1], which is situated in southern Thailand, has long been a popular destination with Scandinavian tourists. This is an ideal area to explore or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun. Those wishing to experience the full beauty of Krabi can take advantage of a local travel service, Andaman Camp and Cruise, which is a family-run Krabi-based company specializing on tours of the region and geared towards Scandinavian tourists in particular. The tour company is run by Australian woman Elizabeth, who has been living in Thailand for more than six years and her Thai husband Noah. In an interview with [Ice News] [2] Elizabeth explained the benefits of her company: “I think it helps to have a true English speaking guide (me!) who can explain what it is really, truthfully like to live here. Between us, Sun and I can answer questions not only about the islands and places we visit, but about all aspects of Thailand.” The company organized tours to hidden white sandy beaches and offers a wide range of different day trips. [1]: http://www.1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://icenews.is.com 2009-07-21T09:15:00+07:00 1378 2009-07-20T14:19:53+07:00 5 true 1378-krabi-focuses-on-scandinavian-tourism Andrew

Travelling between the popular Thai resort of [Krabi] [1] and Singapore will soon become much easier as Tiger Airways has just announced that it will resume its service from the end of October. Flights to Krabi from Singapore will be available four times a week, with tickets staring from Sind$20 each way. Krabi is Singapore Airline’s third destination in Thailand and will be the fifth new destination launched by Tiger Airways in 2009. Rosalynn Tay is the Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore. In a recent interview with [Thaipro] [2] she stated that: “Since we first operated to Krabi in 2005, it has been a very popular holiday destination. We have received numerous requests for us to resume our services to Krabi. I’m delighted to tell all Tiger customers that we have listened to their requests and are now able to add Krabi to our fast growing network of exciting destinations across the Asia Pacific region. Krabi has a fantastic heritage of being one of the region’s most popular tourism centers. We are working closely with the local tourism and hospitality industries in Thailand to ensure that the start of the popular low fares service of Tiger Airways will have a huge impact on the number of visitors to Krabi.” [1]: http://www.1stopkrabi.com [2]: http://thaipro.com 2009-07-21T08:55:00+07:00 1376 2009-07-20T14:20:31+07:00 5 true 1376-tiger-returns-to-krabi Andrew

In spite of the political turmoil that brought Bangkok to a dangerous standstill on Monday and Tuesday, revellers determinedly got on with the annual Songkran water festival on Khao San Road. And because initial festivities were cancelled during the festival days, the holiday was extended by a further two days, ending Friday evening. The Khao San Road is one of the most popular places in Thailand to celebrate Songkran as a tourist, as this pedestrianised street becomes one massive water fight, safe from traffic. However it's proximity to some of the flashpoints of the prostest action of the United Front for Democracy against Dictactorship (UDD) made it a risky part of the city to be in. Travellers who had to delay plans to visit the city now have a chance to join the fun, with two extra days added to the Khao San Road festivities. Furthermore, public holidays were declared across the country while the country recovers from the crisis that gripped the Kingdom over the previous weekend. Bangkok's streets had mostly returned to normal by Wednesday evening as the army successfully dispersed the crowd and brought an end to the violent standoff. Only two deaths were reported at the end of it all and the leaders of the so-called 'Red Shirts' - supporters of ousted and fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who were calling for the government to step down - called it off. Although the State of Emergency remains in the capital, normality had returned by Thursday and it was safe to travel freely about the capital. Rumours of a coup were unfounded and the government appears to have the situation under control. Guide to the [Khao San Road](http://www.1stopbangkok.com/what_to_see/khao_san/) 2009-04-16T18:59:00+07:00 1223 2009-04-16T19:12:55+07:00 5 true 1223-songkran-extended-on-khao-san-road Andrew

All was calm on the streets of Bangkok by Wednesday evening after the army brought the situation under control and dispersed rampaging protestors who had brought anarchy to the capital. Bangkok is now considered safe to travel to, although several countries have yet to lift their travel advisory warnings for Thailand. The situation remains tense but the prostests have been called off, the streets have been cleared and the risk of violence has been greatly minimised. The State of Emergency remains, declared on Sunday evening after red shirted supporters of exiled pariah Thaksin Shinawatra forced the cancellation of the ASEAN+3 summit in Pattaya. After storming the venue, they turned their attention to Bangkok, where 10,000 of them blockaded key intersections and violently brought the city to a standstill demanding the resignation of the government. A peaceful quiet descended on the city Wednesday evening after a tense standoff between soldiers and the protestors throughout Tuesday, as 50 companies of soldiers gradually dispersed the crowds. Finally the leaders of the protest turned themselves in Wednesday morning and called off the protest, urging their ranks to return home. A small group of die-hard supporters mustered at Sanam Luang, near Khao San Road, refusing to go home, but were under close guard from the military. Armoured personnel continue to preside of key parts of the city to prevent further trouble. Meanwhile the airport remained busy and the annual Songkran festivities continued on Khao San Road and Silom avenue without hindrance or fear. Sporadic protests continue upcountry but are considered of no risk to tourists. Breaking news from [The Nation Newspaper](http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/) 2009-04-16T18:46:00+07:00 1222 2009-04-16T18:58:52+07:00 5 true 1222-bangkok-streets-return-to-normal Andrew

As Thailand's latest political crisis escalates a state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok and its surrounding six provinces in an attempt to restore order to the capital. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency on Sunday after red shirted protesters from the United front for democracy, against dictatorship (UDD) forced the cancellation of the ASEAN+3 summit in Pattaya Saturday. Protests from the group, led by fugitive and exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have turned ugly after a mob of 10,000 stormed the Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya amid inadequate police security, forcing the airlift evacuation of heads of state and a major embarrassment for the crisis wracked country. Bangkok remains at risk of violent clashes as the army are now set to be deployed and bring the situation under control. The protests, crucially, have moved from key administrative sites in the Dusit area, into the city proper as they try to block key roads and incite anarchy. They are demanding the government step down, accusing them of being illegitimate, while Thaksin himself is urging a revolution. Several countries have issue travel advisory warnings and tourists are advised to avoid Bangkok for the time being as violent clashes between the army and this group of some 100,000 are anticipated Monday. Until now the government has been reluctant to use the army or heavy handed discipline on the protestors, fearful of losing face and credibility among the general population. Following the Pattaya siege, the current crisis has lurched to an unprecedented level, reminiscent of the airport seizure last year, with mob rule becoming a popular tool for groups to voice dissatisfaction at the current political landscape. With the standoff reaching critical levels uncertainty remains in the capital, and unfolding events there might spill out to Northern and Northeastern provinces, including Chiang Mai. The Southern provinces of Thailand remain peaceful and without risk but transport might be severely disrupted as the crisis unfolds. The present government came to power four months ago after the ruling party was dissolved for vote fraud. MPs from a key factions of the party crossed the floor to help the opposition form a minority led coalition, which the protestors are refusing to acknowledge. Thaksin Shinawatra has been fighting to reverse his corruption convictions, unblock frozen assets and return to power, and has the support of the UDD. No solution seems in sight for the political crisis and it is likely to cost the country a loss of more than 200 billion baht in lost tourism revenue. 2009-04-13T11:14:00+07:00 1221 2009-04-13T11:34:09+07:00 5 true 1221-state-of-emergency-in-bangkok-clashes-expected Andrew

The summit of the ASEAN+3 heads of state has been cancelled after militant protestors stormed the the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, terrorising the delegates and forcing an evacuation by helicopter of the VIPs. A state of emergency had been temporarily declared as the government battles with red shirted members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (DAAD) that is calling for their resignation. Riot police failed to properly secure the area as a mob of approximately 10,000 massed at the site, threatening to stop the conference and accusing the government of being illegitimate. In a huge embarrassment to the country, the summit was abandoned when the protestors broke through the glass doors of the media centre, creating chaos. The protestors had moved to Pattaya on instructions from leaders, including fugitive ex PM Thaksin Shinawatra after a week of disruptive protests at Government House in Bangkok. it is part of a democratic crisis that follows on from the protest and airport seizure last year. The state of emergency was lifted hours later, after the delegates were airlifted to safety and the prostestors withdrew, claiming 'victory'. By late Saturday evening most of the prostestors had returned to Bangkok and Pattaya had returned to normal. However the situation in Bangkok remains uncertain. Tourists planning visits to the South are not considered at risk, and despite the damage to Pattaya's reputation it has now been left alone in the current crisis, and visitors are unlikely to experience any further inconvenience in the city but transportation might be disrupted to and from the capital if the situation develops further. The crisis stems from the dissolution last year of the ruling party on vote fraud charges. They were seen as allied to ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, disposed in the 2006 coup. After the dissolution the opposition formed a government with a key faction of the previous government who crossed the floor to help form a minority led coalition. The DAAD are unwilling to accept this. 2009-04-11T10:47:00+07:00 1220 2009-04-13T11:13:56+07:00 5 true 1220-pattaya-under-siege-as-asean-summit-cancelled Andrew

Red shirted protestors have massed at strategic points in Bangkok's administrative and commercial districts, demanding the government step down. The protests have moved from the original assembly site to key installations and intersections in the city, turning militant and causing major disruptions to commuters. Visitors to the capital are at risk of inconvenience although no violence has been experienced. The United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (DAAD), or 'Red Shirts' have been agitating for a dissolution of the Government that came to power just four months ago, unhappy with the minority coalition government which they claim is not the will of the majority. They are being led on by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is currently in exile to avoid a corruption conviction. For the second time in five months Thailand has lurched into a deep crisis, as neither side respects the current democratic process. It's having a debilitating effect on the economy and tourism. The situation in Bangkok remains unstable, with several country's issuing travel advisory warnings. Protests have also been taking place without violence in cities of the North and Northeast, including Chiang Mai, but the south is peaceful. Tourists in Phuket, Krabi and Samui have not experienced any inconveniences, airport closures or protest action. More than 100,000 red shirt supporters have assembled in Bangkok, mainly targeting Government House and some administrative buildings in the Dusit area, but have set some ambitious deadlines for their demands to be met, which might prompt action from riot police and military. They are also threatening to disrupt the ASEAN+3 summit in Pattaya over the weekend. Many Bangkok resident have left the capital to go to their family homes for the long Songkran festival that runs until April 15th. The prime minister declared Friday 10th an additional holiday to side-step the prostestors, who are causing havoc to Bangkok's traffic congestion. The situation remains unclear. 2009-04-10T10:32:00+07:00 1219 2009-04-13T10:47:15+07:00 5 true 1219-bangkok-shut-down-by-protestors Andrew

The hub of Songkhla province in Thailand’s deep south, Hat Yai, has embarked on a 200 million baht spending spree to greatly enhance its tourist attractions. Despite the ongoing tensions in this region of Thailand, Hat Yai is generally quite safe, especially for foreigner visitors. Among the major programs are a new cable car, a planetarium, and an art gallery, all of which will go in its excellent public park, which will also get a general facelift. Mayor Prai Pattano wants to expand the city public park's appeal from a leisure destination to include edutainment that can round off the experience. The Mayor hopes to attract more visitors from Singapore and Malaysia, who come to Hat Yai on a regular basis to pay homage to the shrine of the Chinese goddess Guan Yin. There is also an amazing Buddha statue within a 900-rai forested park that has a lovely hill. "We want to develop the park into a complete tourism complex," the Mayor said. The cable car is expected to cost 100 million baht and take a year to build. But it will shorten the travel time to the iconic statues that lure foreign and Thai visitors all year round. The planetarium will have a powerful telescope so visitors, especially children, can peek at the universe. It will take two years to complete. 2009-03-02T19:21:00+07:00 1149 2009-02-26T19:29:53+07:00 5 true 1149-hat-yai-jazzes-up-its-tourist-scene Andrew

Award-winning [Emirates Airways][1] has launched a daily service from the Thai capital Bangkok to New Zealand’s beautiful city of Christchurch. New Zealand is fast becoming a popular travel destination for Thai travelers, and the daily service will make it easier than ever to reach New Zealand’s festival capital. The new flight will make a brief stopover in Sydney on its way to Christchurch. Emirates is using a Boeing 777-300 for this route, offering 364 seats in three different classes. Khalid Bardan, Manager for Thailand and Indochina, said, “As the only direct daily flight from Bangkok to Christchurch, this service represents Emirates’ commitment to the Thailand market. New Zealand has always been popular with Thai leisure travellers but it is also a key market for Thais studying abroad. For both groups Christchurch offers a wealth of entertainment and cultural activities throughout the year.” The latest Emirates flight takes 13 hours 45 minutes to travel from Bangkok to Christchurch. The Boeing 777-300 is outfitted with 12 luxury seats in First class, 42 comfortable lie-flat beds in Business class, and surprisingly generous space for 310 passengers in its Economy class. [1]: http://www.emirates.com/th/English/ 2009-03-01T17:16:00+07:00 1150 2009-02-27T17:18:55+07:00 5 true 1150-emirates-now-flies-to-new-zealand Andrew

Following on the heels of most other regional airlines, [Jetstar][1] has decided to remove its 3,100 baht fuel surcharge as of 12 February. This means some great savings on its popular long-haul routes between Bangkok and Melbourne and Phuket and Sydney. Now that the price of jet fuel has returned to levels that existed before the oil boom in mid-2008, most airlines are taking off the fuel surcharge. Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said the removal of the surcharge followed its policy of "price beating guarantee" that is geared to make it easier and more enticing for passengers flying between Thailand and Australia. The "price beat" scheme guarantees that Jetstar’s airfares stay at least 10 per cent lower than the fares being offered by any other carrier operating along the same routes. It’s a great deal that helps encourage many would-be travelers from Australia to come over and enjoy the beauty of Thailand. As a bonus, most resorts are offering incredible deals on hotel rates. It is now almost common practice to stay for four nights and pay for only three nights. [1]: www.jetstar.com 2009-02-28T19:14:00+07:00 1148 2009-02-26T19:21:11+07:00 5 true 1148-jetstar-drops-fuel-surcharge Andrew

The murder of an [Englishman living in Phuket][1] appears to be the result of a dispute over a real estate transaction. The victim has been identified as 61 year-old Kenneth Stuart, the owner of a real estate company in Phuket. Police found the body of Stuart lying on his bed. He was bludgeoned on the head with a blunt object, which remains unfound. The offices and bedroom were ransacked in an attempt to find something of value. Stuart’s body was found by his 26 year-old office manager who found the man’s dead body when she arrived for work on Monday morning as usual. Police and forensics experts are checking bottles of rice whiskey outside the shop for fingerprints. She described Stuart as a peaceful quiet man, and had no idea who would want to murder him. Police speculate that the attackers meant to kill Stuart and find something valuable inside his house. The only thing missing was his laptop, which could have contained useful information to someone. Revenge could also be a motive, as Stuart was recently involved in a fight with some local security guards. This murder was the second in Phuket involving a real estate businessman. The last murder of a Canadian man happened just a week earlier, and police have yet to solve that crime. [1]: http://www.1stopphuket.com/living/ 2009-02-28T18:57:00+07:00 1145 2009-02-26T18:58:44+07:00 5 true 1145-english-businessman-murdered-in-phuket Andrew

The siege of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports came to a close Wednesday morning as protesters agreed to go home and end their actions, following the removal of the Prime Minister from his post. Organisers of the week long protest, which has created havoc for tourists, said their objective of forcing the present government out had been achieved and that they would allow the airport to resume services. However, more than 200,000 stranded passengers will have to wait several more days to get home, as airport authorities warned that it could take a week or more to re-commission the airport for safe and efficient use. Cargo flights have resumed and the airport will begin accepting in-bound flights from today, although it is unclear whether it will be able to process in-bound tourists immediately. Travellers are advised to contact their airlines for immediate details. A court ruling on Tuesday effectively ended the ruinous standoff when the ruling coalition party and two of its partners were found guilty of vote fraud in the December 2007 election, effectively disbanding them and forcing the Prime Minister to resign, along with his cabinet. The protesters had seized the airport in a desperate attempt to force them out, following months of action against a government which they described as a 'proxy of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra'. Meanwhile, flights have been taking off from Pattaya's U-Tapao airport, Chiang Mai and Phuket to help get tourists home. Inbound tourists have been arriving via these airports and Kuala Lumpur, traveling overland to reach destinations in the Kingdom. Cancellations have been numerous, putting enormous pressure on the tourist sector ahead of its depressed 2009 season. With the court ruling and subsequent protest end, the political tension is likely to fade, with no adverse reaction reported as yet to the ruling from a pro-government protest group. The threat of clashes on the streets, or military intervention has now greatly diminished, along with risks to the personal safety of travellers. The saga has been devastating to the travel industry, and various groups are working hard to retain or attract tourists, offering accommodation vouchers, free medical attention at hospitals and trying to demonstrate that despite the negative publicity and inconvenience, Thailand remains safe, friendly and hospitable in all its main tourist areas. 2008-12-03T07:25:00+07:00 1019 2008-12-03T07:39:57+07:00 5 true 1019-airport-protest-ends-flights-to-resume-soon Andrew

Suvarnabhumi is unlikely to reopen for another seven days, even if the protesters leave on Wednesday following a court ruling to disband several parties in the ruling coalition. According to an Airports of Thailand (AOT) official, a week will be need for safety inspections, clean up and to bring systems back online. There may be an end in sight to the damaging protest that has closed both of Bangkok's main airports for a week, following a ruling that forces the Prime Minister and 11 of his cabinet to resign. They are all executive members of the three parties that were unanimously found guilty of vote fraud in the December 2007 election, and are now banned from politics for five years. However, it is unclear whether the government will resign and dissolve the House, or simply appoint a new Prime Minister to form Thailand's third cabinet in four months. Should the ruling coalition try to continue by forming new parties from their surviving MPs, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has vowed it will stay put at the airport. With 300,000 travellers now stranded in Bangkok, and the tourist industry devastated by cancellations, pressure is mounting for all parties to back off and save the country's economy. But the ruling coalition has indicated it might insist on carrying on to make a point, and now bow to mob rule. Bewildered tourists understand little of the political standoff that has ruined their Thailand holidays, the situation has reached a critical point as the country finds itself divided for and against the present government which is largely seen as a proxy for fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is trying to repeal corruption rulings against himself. Meanwhile an increasing number of flights have now been departing from Pattaya's U-Tapao airport nearby, as well as Chiang Mai and Phuket, which have international terminals. Several local carriers have announced extra services, locally and internationally from these airports. 2008-12-02T17:02:00+07:00 1018 2008-12-02T17:14:44+07:00 5 true 1018-suvarnabhumi-likely-to-be-closed-7-more-days-but-other-airports-busy Andrew

The Constitutional Court in Bangkok ruled Tuesday afternoon to dissolve three key parties in the ruling coalition, which may clear the way to end the political standoff that has seen anti-government protesters occupy Bangkok's two main airports. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have said they will only leave once the government goes. The People's Power Party, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya Parties were all found guilty, unanimously by the nine judges, of vote buying in the December 2007 election and will have to disband under a tough new election law that bans executives of those parties from politics for five years. However, it does not mean the government must resign, since only 11 of the ministers, along with the Prime Minister must vacate their positions. The PAD have however said they will only end their destructive protest if the entire cabinet goes. Their objective has, from the start, been to unseat any government that is seen as a proxy of exiled fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. There have been increasing calls for the House to be dissolved to end the deadlock, but the coalition has insisted on hanging on to 'protect their democratically elected position'. An end to the standoff might not be in sight if the People's Power Party, widely seen as Thaksin's proxy, insist on continuing their administration by forming a new impromptu party to which its MPs intend to migrate to. Meanwhile, supporters of the government, decked out in red, tried to lay siege to the Court House to prevent, what they described as a 'rushed decision'. Their reaction to the ruling might create unrest in Bangkok in the coming days. Thailand's political stability has been rocked by the latest ante, after brewing all year in a standoff between supporters of Thaksin and his government, and those who see them as incompetent and interested only in measures to exonerate the former leader from corruption charges and verdicts. With 300,000 tourists now stranded and cancellations mounting, pressure has been mounting from all sides for both sides to compromise and bring an end to the ruinous protest action that has been costly to the tourist season. Latest updates: [Baht and Sold newswire](http://www.bahtsold.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3612) 2008-12-02T16:46:00+07:00 1017 2008-12-02T17:01:44+07:00 5 true 1017-court-ruling-may-end-airport-seizure Andrew

Despite the issuing of a travel advisory warning by more than two dozen countries, and a rush by some countries to evacuate nationals, the events on the ground at Thailand's popular tourist centres paints a different picture. There have been no violent incidents or threats to personal safety of tourists, even in Bangkok, with events confined to the protests at the two main airports and parts of the administrative suburb of the capital. Thailand's tourist industry has suffered catastrophic damage as the negative publicity mounts from more than a week of disrupted flights into and out of the country's main gateway. Meanwhile, tourists currently in Thailand have experienced no untoward incidents other than the severe inconvenience of travelling or leaving the country. More than 100,000 tourists are said to be stranded in Bangkok or Pattaya, where they have been accommodated at the expense of the government, as they wait for contingency flights out of U-Tapao military airport. Air travel to the capital has ceased and movement around the country is being conducted overland. The airport crisis is expected to come to an end later in the week, when a key ruling against the ruling party might force them to step down, which will bring an end to the protest stand off. However, the situation remains tense as Thailand descends into its worst political crisis in years, with a deeply divided nation and two small but militant opposing groups who are rallying on opposite sides of Bangkok. Although violent clashes are not expected, there is uncertainty about the reaction to the Tuesday ruling, which pro-government supporters believe has been unfairly rushed. The army has so far remained neutral insisting that a coup will not be an answer, but might step in if the government and police fail to control the situation. Tourists in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other areas away from Bangkok have been reporting a normal situation that has not disturbed their holidays but remain anxious about travel. An Abac poll conducted among Thais over the weekend revealed that more than 80% are dismayed and embarrassed about the events in the country and support neither side. Many expressed hope for a peaceful and rapid solution, saying that a House Dissolution would best diffuse the situation and send the opposing protesters home. 2008-12-01T12:03:00+07:00 1015 2008-12-01T12:20:28+07:00 5 true 1015-thailand-calm-despite-travel-advisories Andrew