Nok Air suspends Phuket flights

PHUKET: In further bad news for the island’s immediate tourism prospects, the Gazette has confirmed that low-cost carrier Nok Air has suspended its remaining flights to Phuket, most likely for the rest of the low season.


In an email reply received by the Gazette this morning, Nok Air’s Chief Executive Officer wrote, “Yes, we have suspended flights to Phuket for this month. We will resume [flying to] Phuket in the very near future after we have arranged our new TPI [timetable planning] for the coming high season.”


The high season in Phuket nominally kicks off on November 1, with the Phuket Carnival in Patong.


With rival low-cost carrier One-Two-Go grounded until at least October, all regularly-scheduled flights between Bangkok and Phuket currently fly out of Suvarnabhumi Airport.


Both Nok Air and One-Tow-Go use domestic hub Don Meuang Airport as their base of operations.


Report by Gazette aviation columnist Alastair Carthew.

Award-winning Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel Attracting Prominent Guests

After opening two years ago with great fanfare, the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel continues to be graced by the presence of high-ranking foreign dignitaries.


One of Bangkok's hottest hotels is attracting prominent foreign guests thanks to its reputation for quality and ideal location next to the international airport.

August saw visits by three prominent foreign travelers to the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, including Her Majesty the Queen of Sweden Silvia Renate Sommerlath, who was on a private visit to the Kingdom. The president of Laos, Lt. Gen. Choummaly Sayasone, also enjoyed a stay with his wife Keosaychay Sayasone.

The new prime minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, arrived at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel for a private visit after being elected on Aug. 18. Prachanda was once the leader of a rebel group known in Nepal as the Maoists.

The visits by three dignitaries in August followed one by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Novotel Suvarnabhumi in May. He held a press conference organized by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in one of the hotel's many high-tech conferences.

Six function rooms span an area of 2,400 square meters and offer built-in audio-visual systems with centrally controlled computer-enhanced displays, monitors and projectors. The Grand Ballroom showcases cutting-edge CCTV technology that enables such features as teleconferences or videoconferences.

In 2007, Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel was chosen as one of the three "Best Airport Hotels in Asia Pacific for Meeting & Conference" by CEI Asia Pacific.

With only 300 meters separating Novotel Suvarnabhumi from the Bangkok airport, vacations begin the moment the visitor's flight touches down. All 612 rooms and suites showcase sophisticated living spaces decorated with contemporary Thai art, and evoke a sense of cultured refinement.

The sound-proofed, double-glazed windows seal out unwelcome noise from the outdoors, creating an ultimate sanctuary for total relaxation.

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel opened on Sept. 28, 2006 to coincide with the inauguration of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. It was voted the "Best Airport Hotel" at the TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards 2008 in Singapore in July.

The hotel offers two bars, four restaurants and "Vous Spa," a luxurious urban spa from France.

Security tightens at Bangkok, Chiang Mai airports

Security at Suvarnabhumi international airport in Bangkok and at Chiang Mai International Airport was stepped up on Friday afternoon after supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy intruded into Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi airports in the South.


The intrusion closed all three tourist-important airports, leaving passengers stranded.


All fights to and from both airports have reportedly been cancelled after thousands of PAD supporters blocked their entrances and entered the airport buildings to demand that the government stops using force against the protesters in Bangkok.

Security tightens at Bangkok, Chiang Mai airports

Security at Suvarnabhumi international airport in Bangkok and at Chiang Mai International Airport was stepped up on Friday afternoon after supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy intruded into Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi airports in the South.

The intrusion closed all three tourist-important airports, leaving passengers stranded.

All fights to and from both airports have reportedly been cancelled after thousands of PAD supporters blocked their entrances and entered the airport buildings to demand that the government stops using force against the protesters in Bangkok.