Thailand cranks up services for stranded passengers

By Thin Lei Win

U-TAPAO, Thailand (Reuters) - A Vietnam war-era military airbase being used as Thailand's main international airport had the air of a chaotic village fair on Monday as thousands of tourists clamoured to leave.

The airport has become the country's chief international gateway since anti-government protesters took over Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports last week, paralysing flight operations and leaving tens of thousands of visitors stranded. [nSP373843]

Located about 200 km (150 miles) southeast of the capital, U-Tapao was a front-line base for the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, but in recent times has been used for just a handful of charter flights a day.

On Monday it was more like a mini city, with enterprising Thais setting up food and drink stalls, telephone booths and even an entertainment area where waiting passengers could relax while watching local entertainment.

"It wasn't as bad as I expected," said Briton Simon Wilson, waiting for a Singapore Airlines flight after a business trip to Thailand. "We got here early and now it is just a question of hanging around."

With no end in sight to the airport sit-ins, and officials saying that it could take up to a week to resume services once they end, authorities have cranked up their emergency response.

Thai Airways, which handles the bulk of flights and passengers coming in and out of the country, said it had moved its check-in facilities to the BITEC exhibition centre in Bangkok, and would provide transport for passengers from there to U-Tapao.

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